Somalia: Problems Retrieving Abducted Journos

"Two foreign journalists, Aussie Nigel Brennan (pictured) and Canadian Amanda Lindhout, have been kidnapped outside Mogadishu while reporting on refugees. The Australian Herald Sun’s coverage is hopelessly optimistic:

A Department of Foreign Affairs spokeswoman said the Government was “urgently investigating” the reports. “The Australian high commissioner has made contact with Somali authorities to seek further information about the incident and to confirm the welfare of Mr Brennan,” she said.

There are no real “Somali authorities,” especially in Mogadishu. The Baidoa-based alliance calling itself the “Transitional Federal Government” has little sway in Mogadishu, a city contested by no fewer than four different armies: the TFG, their Ethiopian sponsors, the African Union and various loosely allied insurgent groups. The TFG can’t do much to help Australian authorities."
War is boring

Don't sound good.