This just came across my virtual desk and I thought it was interesting. First of all, the story is completely in German and I had to do some hunting around for a translation. If any of my German readers would like to confirm the content on the original post, that would be cool. But I think we get the picture with this translation.
Now for the point of this post. It would be great to get some confirmation on this from the EU or the UN or even the VOA which is pretty quick to confirm the yes or no on stuff like this. Until I hear some official confirmation out there, I will hold any commentary. (we get a lot of companies claiming contracts in Somalia, and most are just talk) Interesting stuff if true. If anyone from Asgaard GSG would like to confirm this and provide a little more detail, I would gladly put up a edit. –Matt
Edit: 5/23/2010 – I had a fantastic response by the readership as you can see below, and here is the latest. Asgaard GSG has made a public statement on this article and you can read that below in the comments.
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German mercenaries for Civil War in Somalia
By Franz Feyder
May 22, 2010
More than 100 former Bundeswehr soldiers will soon intervene in the civil war in Somalia, according to information from NDR Info and tagesschau.de. A German company has signed a contract with a Somali politician. Experts warn of a “bloodbath”.
Until now, firms like Blackwater, Armor Group or Aegis are synonyms for modern mercenaries. German companies do not really play any role in the global market of privatized war. But now the German “Asgaard German Security Group” wants to compete against the big ones: at the end of last year the company, based in Telgte near Münster, made a contract with a Somali politician who does not recognize the internationally accepted transitional government. More than 100 men will be sent by Asgaard to the Horn of Africa, to bring Galadid Abdinur Ahmed Darman to power.
Protection under “Vollbewaffnung”
“The contract includes extensive and exclusive tasks and areas of competence: from strategic consulting and planning for security to operational implementation and execution of all measures necessary to ensure safety and restore peace,” it said in a Asgaard Press Release of last year’s end. CEO Thomas Kaltegärtner, a former sergeant major of the army, said to NDR Info and tagesschau.de that it is about militarily Personal Security Detail, property security and convey protection in the high-risk country Somalia. “In the event of cases, that is if an attack on the patrol, the convoy is taking place, this team responds immediatly. It has been taught.”