Garowe Online (Garowe)
30 December 2008
Islamist hardliners in Somalia say they are not fighting against a moderate Muslim group, but vowed to continue the war even after Ethiopian troops withdraw, Radio Garowe reports.
Muktar Robow "Abu Mansur," spokesman for Al Shabaab guerrillas, told a telephone press conference on Tuesday that the ongoing battles in central Somalia do not involve Ahlu Sunnah Wal Jamee'a, a Sufi group.
Abu Mansur among Al Shabaab guerrillas
"The battle in Guri El [in Galgadud region] was between groups backed by Ethiopia and Al Shabaab, and truthfully Guri El is under their [Ethiopian] control," Abu Mansur said.
He indicated that Al Shabaab fighters are "in control of Dhusamareb," the provincial capital of Galgadud.
More than 30 people have been killed since the weekend when heavy fighting erupted in Galgadud region, with media reports attributing the violence to Al Shabaab and Ahlu Sunnah Wal Jamee'a groups.
But Abu Mansur categorically denied any connection between the battles and Ahlu Sunnah, a moderate group historically known for its nonviolence.
"Ethiopia plans send three rebel groups so that there is no peace in Somalia," Abu Mansur said, adding: "One group will fighting in Hiran and Bakol regions, one group in the central regions [Galgadud and Mudug] and one group in Gedo region."
Abu Mansur also rejected recent comments attributed to a group of Islamic scholars who told a Mogadishu mosque that "the fighting in Galgadud is between Somalis," while urging the scholars to "leave the Mujahideen alone."
Unconfirmed reports from Galgadud region indicate that Mr. Hussein Irfo, a junior warlord for Yusuf Indha Ade, is leading the military campaign to remove Al Shabaab from the central regions after Al Shabaab fighters seized control of Lower Shabelle region recently.
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