Shabelle Media Network (Mogadishu)
Aweys Osman Yusuf
12 November 2006
Mogadishu — Fierce fighting that taken place at Bandiradley between the Union of Islamic Courts fighters and Abdi Awale Qeybdid's militias backed by Puntland troops has lasted hours after Islamic fighters moved closer to Galkayo where Qeybdid's militiamen were based.
The Islamic Courts spokesperson for Somalia's central provinces Mohamood Mohammed Jimaale known as Agoweyne has told Shabelle Radio in Mogadishu by telephone that the Islamist fighters have forced Qeydid's militiamen backed by Puntalnd and Ethiopian forces out of Bandiradley and villages close to Galkayo in Mudug province.
"We have seized villages like Bandiradley, Sadah-hagle, Dagaari and Halaal which 20 km away from Galkayo", stated Agoweyne.
The Courts have claimed they captured 22 militiamen, 5 vehicles mounted with anti-aircraft guns and two tanks from Abdi Awale Qeybdid, a warlord who was evicted from the capital Mogadishu early June this year after deadly skirmishes that engulfed the lives of hundreds.
The Islamic Courts have admitted they have lost two of their fighters in this latest fight.
Neither Puntland administration nor Abdi Qeybdid was available for comments.
The semiautonomous regional government of Puntalnd administration has previously pledged it would crash the Islamic movement if it was invaded, warning an Islamic Court recently set up in north Galkayo under its administration to shut down or would be crashed and that its founders would either be killed or expelled from Puntland administered areas.
Somalia was in the grip of tribal warlords and militias for the past fifteen years, tormenting the civilian population.
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