Somalia: Al-Shabaab Metes Out Repression in the South   The
Islamist armed group al-Shabaab is subjecting inhabitants of
southern Somalia to killings, cruel punishments, and repressive
social control, Human Rights Watch said in a report released
today. Al-Shabaab, the Transitional Federal Government (TFG),
and African Union (AU) forces in the war-torn capital,
Mogadishu, continue to conduct indiscriminate attacks, killing
and wounding numerous civilians.  The 62-page report, "Harsh
War, Harsh Peace: Abuses by al-Shabaab, the Transitional Federal
Government, and AMISOM in Somalia," finds that al-Shabaab forces
have brought greater stability to many areas in southern
Somalia, but at a high cost for the local population -
especially women. Based on over 70 interviews with victims and
witnesses, the report describes harsh punishments including
amputations and floggings, which are meted out regularly and
without due process. People accused of being traitors or
government sympathizers - often on flimsy pretexts - f