One of Somalia's most notorious warlords, Yusuf "Indha Ade" Mohamed Siad, appeared in public for the first time in two years after fleeing Lower Shabelle region as Ethiopian troops invaded the Horn of Africa country.

Indha Ade, who is defense chief of the opposition Alliance for the Re-liberation of Somalia (ARS), told residents in the Lower Shabelle provincial capital of Marka that a new Islamic administration will be established for the fertile region.

He spoke disapprovingly about ARS Chairman Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed's publicized visit to the town of Jowhar, 90km north of Mogadishu, by suggesting that Sheikh Sharif was "joining" the Somali Transitional Federal Government (TFG). Full story

"I am certain that the Mujahideen will not live at the same military camp with TFG soldiers," Indha Ade said, while referring to various insurgent groups waging war against the TFG and its Ethiopian backers.

Local sources said Indha Ade's visit to Marka coincides with last week' s assassination of one of his top ground commanders, Nuriye Ali Farah. Full story

The ARS broke off into two rival factions in June after Sheikh Sharif reached a peace deal with the TFG, with the insurgency's ground commanders supporting the two camps.

Some Islamist commanders in Middle Shabelle, Lower Shabelle and Hiran regions have already spoken out against Sheikh Sharif's visit to Jowhar.