Shabelle Media Network (Mogadishu)
3 February 2009
Mogadishu — The Somali Islamist group al-Shabaab Tuesday urged its fighters and Somalis to intensify a holy war against African Union (AU) peacekeepers in Mogadishu.
Sheikh Mukhtar Robow Abu Mansoor, the spokesman of al-Shabaab, held a press conference in Baidoa, the ex-seat of parliament a day after AMISOM troops were accused of killing about 40 civilians in Mogadishu.
"I call on the Somali people and the insurgents to attack the African Union troops, who massacred our people," said Abu Mansoor.
"You are not peacekeepers, you are peace destroyers and you came to our country to massacre our innocent civilians as you did yesterday. I call to the African Union troops to pull out our country immediately or they will face strong resistance," he added.
Abdirahin Isse Adow, the spokesman of the Islamic Courts Union (ICU) said they would not tolerate "any more brutal actions" against the civilians.
According to Somali government officials, AU peacekeepers sprayed gunfire in a busy road on Monday after one of their vehicles was targeted by a roadside bomb blast.
The deputy mayor of Mogadishu said at least 39 civilians were killed by AU fire while other sources put the figure about 42.
Major Bahuko Baridgye, the spokesman of the AU forces, denied the allegations and said that the roadside bomb explosion had killed three civilians and wounded one of their soldiers.
The AU force comprises around 3,500 Ugandan and Burundian troops.
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