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| Kenya bans all flights to Somalia | Kenya bans all flights to Somalia |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| Kenya has banned all flights to Somalia, citing security fears. | Kenya has banned all flights to Somalia, citing security fears. |
| The ban comes two weeks after the US issued a warning about suicide attacks from Islamist militants in Somalia. | The ban comes two weeks after the US issued a warning about suicide attacks from Islamist militants in Somalia. |
| Kenya is the main entry point for international travel to Somalia and is also the source of much of the popular stimulant khat, consumed in Somalia. | Kenya is the main entry point for international travel to Somalia and is also the source of much of the popular stimulant khat, consumed in Somalia. |
| There were protests earlier this year when the Islamists who control much of southern Somalia banned the sale of khat during the holy month of Ramadan. | There were protests earlier this year when the Islamists who control much of southern Somalia banned the sale of khat during the holy month of Ramadan. |
| Khat is chewed by many Somali men, especially the gunmen who have fought for control of the country for the last 15 years. | Khat is chewed by many Somali men, especially the gunmen who have fought for control of the country for the last 15 years. |
| There were six flights a week from Nairobi to the Somali capital, Mogadishu, and services to three other towns and many more khat flights each day. | There were six flights a week from Nairobi to the Somali capital, Mogadishu, and services to three other towns and many more khat flights each day. |
| Kenyan khat, or miraa, growers have condemned the flight ban. | Kenyan khat, or miraa, growers have condemned the flight ban. |
| Drug ban | Drug ban |
| Maoka Maore, MP for the central Ntonyiri constituency, said that 20 tons of khat, worth $800,000 was sent to Somalia each day. | Maoka Maore, MP for the central Ntonyiri constituency, said that 20 tons of khat, worth $800,000 was sent to Somalia each day. |
| "Even if you close it for a week, the effects are going to be devastating," he told the BBC's Network Africa programme. | "Even if you close it for a week, the effects are going to be devastating," he told the BBC's Network Africa programme. |
| KHAT Stimulant, making the user more alert and talkativeAppetite suppressorAfter a few hours, it produces a state of calmA chemical found in khat could boost the power of men's spermLong-term use can bring on insomnia, heart problems and sexual problemsCan bring on anxiety and aggression Health fears over khat use "All of our productive land is in miraa farms." | KHAT Stimulant, making the user more alert and talkativeAppetite suppressorAfter a few hours, it produces a state of calmA chemical found in khat could boost the power of men's spermLong-term use can bring on insomnia, heart problems and sexual problemsCan bring on anxiety and aggression Health fears over khat use "All of our productive land is in miraa farms." |
| The Islamists have tried to clamp down on the trade since their rise over the past five months. | The Islamists have tried to clamp down on the trade since their rise over the past five months. |
| They banned its sale during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, sparking street protests in Kismayo. | They banned its sale during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, sparking street protests in Kismayo. |
| In weekend fighting, the Union of Islamic Courts (UIC) say they have taken control of the town of Bandiradley, near the border with the Puntland region. | In weekend fighting, the Union of Islamic Courts (UIC) say they have taken control of the town of Bandiradley, near the border with the Puntland region. |
| Witnesses said at least eight people were killed in the fighting. | Witnesses said at least eight people were killed in the fighting. |
| Semi-autonomous Puntland has escaped much of the anarchy, which has ravaged southern Somalia since 1991. | Semi-autonomous Puntland has escaped much of the anarchy, which has ravaged southern Somalia since 1991. |
| On Saturday, Somalia's transitional government dismissed a peace deal between parliamentary speaker Sharif Hassan Sheikh Adan and the UIC, saying the speaker did not have the mandate to reach a deal on the government's behalf. | On Saturday, Somalia's transitional government dismissed a peace deal between parliamentary speaker Sharif Hassan Sheikh Adan and the UIC, saying the speaker did not have the mandate to reach a deal on the government's behalf. |
| There are fears of a regional conflict starting in Somalia, as Ethiopia backs the government and its rival Eritrea is accused of arming the Islamists. | There are fears of a regional conflict starting in Somalia, as Ethiopia backs the government and its rival Eritrea is accused of arming the Islamists. |
| Ethiopia denies having fighting forces in Somalia but admits to having hundreds of military trainers, while Eritrea denies backing the UIC. | Ethiopia denies having fighting forces in Somalia but admits to having hundreds of military trainers, while Eritrea denies backing the UIC. |
| The government, formed at peace talks in Kenya, only controls the territory around the town of Baidoa. | The government, formed at peace talks in Kenya, only controls the territory around the town of Baidoa. |
| Are you affected by the flight ban? Is Kenya right to introduce it? Send us your views and experiences using the postform below. | |