User:TomStar81/Horn of Africa disruption

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

User:Middayexpress/Projects

SPI[edit]

Currently tracking 30 verified SPI cases on or pertaining to Somalia, Somaliland, or the Horn of Africa in a meaningful way (ie, at least one section in a given report dealing with the issue). Some of these cases are retaliatory, some are false alarms, one is not included as an apparent case of attempting to put people into racial/ethnic groups (not a known trait of Middayexpress or anyone else caught up with him). This is a non-exhaustive list, simple notes have been made when information on the SPI case listed needed clarified.

In addition to the on-Wikipedia posts below, it is known that Middayexpress posted once to the Somalinet forums website pleading for help to maintain the Horn of Africa articles on Wikipedia following his topic ban ([1]). Forum contributors at Somalinet believe that it is possible that Middayexpress is or was also editing the Somlianet forums website under the handle Bilis ([2] [3]), and suspect that he may have been editing the Hamiticunion forums under the handle Noah ([4] [5]).

2009[edit]

2010[edit]

2011[edit]

2012[edit]

2013[edit]

2014[edit]

2016[edit]

2017[edit]

2018[edit]

2020[edit]

WP:ANI reports[edit]

This section covers (broadly AN, ANI, 3RR, and other reports of disruptive behavior for the Somalia/Somaliland/Horn of Africa region. When linking to this section use the full external link so we can find the section with the report.

WP:ANI[edit]

ANI reports and such[edit]

Questionable editors[edit]

Editors may be listed here if you have reason to suspect that they are somehow involved in this, but to avoid tripping the ping system do not link to the names. A brief description of why you think they may be involved either with middayexpress specifically or disruptive editing generally would also be useful so as to avoid the perception of intentionally accusing the users in question.

  • User:26oo ?
    • Disappeared in July 2015, two months after middayexpress was blocked. Mentioned in a few of the above SPI cases
  • User:Awale-Abdi ?
  • User:NeverMessWithanAsser ?
    • Already blocked for trolling, but had edited talk pages of users usually associated with Horn of Africa subjects.
  • User:Top Gun ?
    • Already blocked, prolific SPI page with edits may to military casualties in Somalia.

[[6]]

Original Editors & ISPs on or relating to Midday express[edit]

These names were listed at the time of the original SPI, so the information is already out there. Adding here for the sake of ensuring we get everyone int he dragnet. TomStar81 (Talk) 17:18, 17 May 2019 (UTC) * {{Checkuser|Middayexpress}} * {{Checkuser|Awale-Abdi}} * {{Checkuser|Boorana Baarentu}} * {{Checkuser|Kinfoll1993}} * {{Checkuser|Bbb23}} * {{Checkuser|Malik Shabazz}} * {{Checkuser|Hadraa}} * {{Checkuser|Flyer22}} * {{Checkuser|Gyrofrog}} * {{Checkuser|SimonGoth}} * {{Checkuser|Afex.do}} * {{Checkuser|CambridgeBayWeather}} * {{Checkuser|Vituzzu}} * {{Checkuser|Robert McClenon}} * {{Checkuser|Emperorofthedaleks}} * {{Checkuser|Guuleeds}} * {{Checkuser|AcidSnow}} * {{Checkuser|Inayity}} * {{Checkuser|TomStar81}} * {{Checkuser|Buckshot06}} * {{Checkuser|TonyStarks}} * {{Checkuser|BrumEduResearch}} * {{Checkuser|Zekenyan}} * {{Checkuser|EthiopianHabesha}} * {{Checkuser|Boorana Baarentu}} * {{Checkuser|Cordless Larry}} * {{Checkuser|Bangabandhu}} * {{Checkuser|AntanO}} * {{Checkuser|192.43.227.18}} * {{Checkuser|GregKaye}} * {{Checkuser|YeOldeGentleman}} * {{Checkuser|AHeneen}} * {{Checkuser|Drmies}} * {{Checkuser|Acroterion}} * {{Checkuser|NeverMessWithanAsser}} * {{Checkuser|Mortianna}} * {{Checkuser|31.200.8.25}} * {{Checkuser|202.40.137.202}} * {{Checkuser|92.96.179.130}} * {{checkuser|Jwn5096}} * {{Checkuser|Frickeg}} * {{Checkuser|Eunavformedia}} * {{Checkuser|Bejnar}}

* {{Checkuser|Soupforone}} * {{Checkuser|Dbachmann}} * {{Checkuser|Halaqah}} * {{Checkuser|66.92.62.162}} * {{Checkuser|Moreschi}} * {{Checkuser|Taharqa}} * {{Checkuser|Mayalld}} * {{Checkuser|Nathan}} * {{Checkuser|The Transhumanist}} * {{Checkuser|Ben MacDui}} * {{Checkuser|FunkMonk}} * {{Checkuser|TransporterMan}} * {{Checkuser|Youngladladlad1911}} **'''NOTE''' This account is already blocked as part of [[Wikipedia:Sockpuppet investigations/Johnjohnjames/Archive]]. * {{Checkuser|DeltaQuad}} * {{Checkuser|Acroterion}} * {{Checkuser|FonsScientiae}} * {{Checkuser|83.82.236.110}} * {{Checkuser|Seb az86556}} * {{Checkuser|Maunus}} * {{Checkuser|Carwil}} * {{Checkuser|Hari7478}} * {{Checkuser|Anbu121}} * {{Checkuser|Shrikanthv}} * {{Checkuser|MarkMysoe}} * {{Checkuser|76.87.41.160}} * {{Checkuser|Dharmadhyaksha}} * {{Checkuser|Gilderien}} * {{Checkuser|Underlying lk}} * {{Checkuser|Afro-Eurasian}} **'''NOTE''' This account is already blocked as part of [[Wikipedia:Sockpuppet investigations/Afro-Eurasian/Archive]]. * {{Checkuser|Dark Tea}} * {{Checkuser|Tobus}} * {{checkuser|FMMonty}} * {{Checkuser|Ykwyr}} * {{Checkuser|2605:6000:EF4E:4300:B84E:3A64:92DA:F56C}} * {{Checkuser|Zezen}} * {{Checkuser|Otakrem}} **'''NOTE''' This account is already blocked as part of [[Wikipedia:Sockpuppet investigations/Puhleec/Archive]], so that may or may not be a factor here. * {{Checkuser|EthiopianHabesha}} * {{Checkuser|Doug Weller}} * {{Checkuser|Guled2016}} **'''NOTE''' This account is currently blocked as part of [[Wikipedia:Sockpuppet investigations/Blabmone/Archive]]. * {{Checkuser|41.143.156.228}} **'''NOTE''' This ip address is though to be associated with [[Wikipedia:Sockpuppet investigations/JovanAndreano/Archive]]. * {{Checkuser|AcidSnow}} * {{Checkuser|Erutuon}} * {{Checkuser|Omnipaedista}} * {{Checkuser|41.142.3.70}} * {{Checkuser|Anẓar}} ** '''NOTE''' Anẓar is a secondary account of {{Checkuser|Aṭlas}} * {{Checkuser|Jibril Ibrahim}} * {{Checkuser|Abrahamic Faiths}} * {{Checkuser|Jobas}} **'''NOTE''' This account is already blocked as part of [[Wikipedia:Sockpuppet investigations/Jobas/Archive]]. * {{Checkuser|CambridgeBayWeather}} * {{Checkuser|Robert McClenon}} * {{Checkuser|Pete unseth}} * {{Checkuser|Skilla1st}} * {{Checkuser|Koavf}} * {{Checkuser|Hmains}} * {{Checkuser|Good Olfactory}} * {{Checkuser|Woohookitty}} * {{Checkuser|Alhaqiha}} * {{Checkuser|ΙΣΧΣΝΙΚΑ-888}} * {{Checkuser|Александр Васильев}} * {{Checkuser|Jessicapierce}} * {{Checkuser|Haploidavey}} * {{Checkuser|Ms Sarah Welch}} **'''NOTE''' This account is already blocked as part of [[Wikipedia:Sockpuppet investigations/ApostleVonColorado/Archive]]. * {{Checkuser|Awale-Abdi}} * {{Checkuser|Megalophias}} * {{Checkuser|Amerpox}} **'''NOTE''' This user is already blocked as part of [[Wikipedia:Sockpuppet investigations/HailesG/Archive]]. * {{Checkuser|GoulGoul1}} * {{Checkuser|Knfr44}} * {{Checkuser|GabiloveAdol}} **'''NOTE''' ANI discussion involving several editors mentioned across both Middayexpress & Soupforone sections located [https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Wikipedia:Administrators%27_noticeboard/Incidents&diff=prev&oldid=761488310#User:Soupforone,_personal_attack_and_related_incidents here]. * {{Checkuser|MSGJ}} * {{Checkuser|El C}} * {{Checkuser|2001:558:600A:83:A8DE:DEE:F992:2BF}} * {{Checkuser|Museagle}} * {{Checkuser|Uknowofwiki}} * {{Checkuser|Knfr44}} * {{Checkuser|Wadaad}} * {{Checkuser|Jytdog}} * {{Checkuser|M.Bitton}} * {{Checkuser|Diannaa}} * {{Checkuser|Demha2510}} * {{Checkuser|Eustachiusz}} * {{Checkuser|DLMcN}} * {{Checkuser|120.61.200.148}} * {{Checkuser|MezzoMezzo}} * {{Checkuser|JesseRafe}} * {{Checkuser|TGS99}} * {{Checkuser|Pathawi}} * {{Checkuser|Shenme}} * {{Checkuser|Sjö}} * {{Checkuser|Shrikanthv}} * {{Checkuser|Jamie Tubers}} * {{Checkuser|Janweh64}} * {{Checkuser|Awale-Abdi}} * {{Checkuser|Frietjes}}

Middayexpress/Soupforone disruption examples[edit]

Example 1: Koofur Orsi[edit]

The example below is to show the wide-reaching nature of disruptive activities by Middayexpress, their disruption is not just limited to the English Wikipedia but spreads to Commons as well as other sites.

In early 2020, Middayexpress began trying to change all the naming conventions of a specific regional state of Somalia, namely South West State of Somalia, and replace the official name with a very niche name of "Koofur Orsi" that did not have any presence online as recent as a few months ago. A quick Google search for "Koofur Orsi" limited to search results published prior to Jan 2020 shows shows almost 0 results.

Middayexpress started replacing the official name of South West State of Somalia with "Koofur Orsi" using a specific range of IP addresses that have been linked to Middayexpress in the SPI page (UK based, with TalkTalk as ISP, and generally from the same location and range). They appear to have began inserting "Koofur Orsi" across the Somali project on English Wikipedia, replacing the official name of South West State, some examples:

Lower Shabelle (13 March)

Middle Shabelle (13 March)

Bakool (13 March)

Baidoa (13 March)

Geography of Somalia (15 March)

Politics of Somalia (2nd April)

States and regions of Somalia (2nd April)

Template of Somalia Topics (3rd April)

Politics of Somalia (5 April)

Mogadishu (1 April).

(etc etc.... Middayexpress basically went on every article linking to South West State and changed it to "Koofur Orsi"). This is bizarre, the name is neither official, nor common nor even used anywhere.

During this time, Middayexpress started creating categories and galleries on Commons and replacing the official name with Koofur Orsi there as well, this time instead of using IP addresses, they are using throwaway/single purpose accounts since IPs can not create pages e.g.:

9 March:

- Flag of SW state file amended to Koofur Orsi by single purpose account Ohytynnbndrew.

- Catagory for Koofur Orsi is created by throwaway account Ohytynnbndrew.

13 March:

- South West catagory redirected to Koofur Orsi by a single purpose account Knowingngytwong.

30 March:

- Throwaway account Hadhunsan saahinutrweel amends the South West flag page to change it to Koofur Orsi. Their only edit.

In tandem with their activity on English Wikipedia and Commons, they have also inserted this OR name into many other sites:

Wikivoyage (13 March):

They used account Knowingngytwong to create a page for Koofur Orsi on Wikivoyage.

Urban Dictionary (on 9 March):

Created an entry for Koofur Orsi on Urban dictionary.

This is presumably done to generate better search results. I am guessing since Urban Dictionary entry they created appears as top 3 Google search results.

They also posted heavily on Reddit beginning 14 March too with careful titling of their posts to include "Koofur Orsi" again suggesting they are targeting search engines with their work e.g. [https://www.reddit.com/r/Somalia/comments/fka3ib/of_the_three_southern_states_jubaland_koofur_orsi/], [https://www.reddit.com/r/Somalia/comments/flmkbg/is_it_true_that_jubaland_koofur_orsi_hirshabelle/].

Example 2: Somali sea[edit]

This example largely follows the methodology outlined above in an almost a step-by-step manner. This time, original research they are attempting to insert relates to replacing the name of the body of water adjacent to Somalia with "Somali sea" instead of the common name as it appears in vast majority of reliable sources (i.e. Indian Ocean). Like the "Koofur orsi" example discussed above, this disruption is not limited to English Wikipedia only, but spills over to Commons and other sites.

23 October 2018:

IP editor requests the creation of a new redirect to Somali Plate (Middayexpress is no. 1 top editor), the name they requested for the redirect is Somali Sea [7]. Citations used appear to be a general in-passing description, and not specifically stating that there is a body of water named Somali Sea. As such a redirect is created by a helpful editor fulfilling the request [8]

23 November 2018:

Exactly one month after the seemingly innocent redirect is created, a throwaway single-use account is created [9]. The new account removes the redirect and inserts desired content [10], essentially creating an article about a body of water they claim to be called Somali Sea, complete with visuals. New account promptly adds Somali Sea to African seas template [11].

6 January 2019:

About 6 weeks later, probably for the avoidance of scrutiny, additional content is added by IP from a specific range of addresses that have been linked to Middayexpress in the SPI page (see also above) [12], [13], [14], [15], [16]... etc etc, they add the bulk of the article's text [17].

Concurrent to bulking up the article is the peppering of references to Somali Sea all over Wikipedia articles, examples:

9 December:

- Using the same IP range/location/ISP reported in the Middayexpress SPI, they insert Somali Sea into Koyama island [18].

- Likewise on Bajuni Islands [19].

14 February:

- They begin inserting Somali Sea into multiple articles, e.g. Kismayo [20], [21], Banaadir [22]... etc.

28 March:

- They add Somali Sea to the Seychelles template [23]. They do the same on Praslin [24]

14 May:

- Using the same IP discussed above, they add their Somali Sea article in the lead of Yemen and Geography of Yemen, [25], [26].

Coinciding with English Wikipedia activity is activity on Commons:

17 December:

- In a similar pattern to the example discussed above (Koofur orsi), another Commons throwaway single use account Noseisnostriledd uploads a new map of the Gulf of Aden which features Somali Sea prominently [27].

- Same user creates a Somali Sea media category on Commons [28].

19 March:

- They update the Arabian Sea map to mark Somali Sea [29].

Again, just like the example above, in tandem with their activity on English Wikipedia and Commons, they have also inserted their OR name into other sites:

Wikivoyage (27 February 2020):

- Single use throwaway account Waxbhhgukurii creates an article for Somali Sea on Wikivoyage [30], this account is an "Account with unregistered email". They also update Somalia's entry on that site to include that Somalia "is bordered by three seas, namely the Gulf of Aden to the north, the Guardafui Channel to the northeast and the Somali Sea to the east" [31]. Please note that the Guardafui Channel article on the English Wikipedia was created by confirmed sock Thylacoop5 [32].

Example 3: Socking on Commons[edit]

In additions to examples cited above of cross-wiki disruption, it appears Middayexpress has been mass editing Somalia-related maps on Common as a backdoor avenue of editing English Wikipedia articles. The methodology is very similar to what is discussed above, down to asking other well-meaning editors to perform the edits first to evade scrutiny e.g. [33]. Disruption on Commons includes adding a dispute label on almost all Somalia-related maps using a host of socking accounts e.g. [34], [35], [36]. This is inline with Middayexpress' strongly held POV to push the disputed label e.g. [37].

A checkuser request was submitted on Commons:Requests_for_checkuser/Case/Bashiir_Dhoorekow, it returned the following results:

  • List of confirmed socks on Commons:
Eve44reelaassss = Waxinalagey = Deuthe suis dd = Floathreenn = Meelpringthusss = Seemsblightbigh = RicherThrowriith = Verdachttunuu = TYHHGHmorg = Platweikghuunn.
  • List of confirmed likely related socks:
Misshorntreemake, Gdbvyytxx4, Mwanammrefukki, Frutryrydays.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=User:TomStar81/Horn_of_Africa_disruption&oldid=990834137"