ASSOCIATED PRESS
MOGADISHU, Somalia — Advancing ever closer to Somalia’s beleaguered capital, heavily armed militants declared Thursday that they will use strict Muslim rules to bring their lawless country back under control.
The latest conquest by the Muslim militants came late Wednesday in Elasha, just 10 miles from the capital of Mogadishu.
The insurgents now control most of southern and central Somalia, with the crucial exceptions of Mogadishu and the city of Baidoa, where the parliament for Somalia’s weak, U.N.-backed government sits.
Further complicating the situation, [the Woyanne regime in] Ethiopia, which has backed Somalia’s government in its fight against the groups, has pulled back from some positions as part of a peace deal with moderate Muslims.
The insurgents, who are fighting to enforce Shariah law in Somalia, are not a homogeneous group. Elasha was seized by a group of relatively moderate fighters.
But the most militant faction, al-Shabab, which the U.S. considers a terrorist group because of its leaders’ alleged links to al Qaeda, controls the most territory.
Al-Shabab in recent weeks carried out a public execution by stoning, reportedly that of a 13-year-old gang-rape victim.
“We inform you that from today on, all areas under our control will be ruled by Islam,” al-Shabab commander Sheik Abukar told residents of Merka on Thursday, one day after seizing that town.
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Ethiopians chase Islamists away after militants seize three Somalian towns
November 14, 2008 Edition 2
MOGADISHU: Islamist insurgents briefly occupied three small towns on the outskirts of Somalia’s capital yesterday, but melted away as Ethiopian forces headed off to confront them.
The Islamists control most of southern Somalia and on Wednesday seized Merka, a strategic port 90km southwest of here.
Shebab group fighters – on Washington’s list of terrorists – moved into the towns of Elasha, Arbis and Lafoole overnight, terrifying residents.
“We could see them wearing masks and marching here and there. We were so afraid we could not leave our houses,” resident Bile Farah said.
“The Shebab men disappeared when they heard Ethiopian military convoys were approaching.”
The capture of Merka on Wednesday gave the Islamists a new base for their near-daily attacks on the Western-backed interim government and its Ethiopian military allies.
It also looked sure to set back a United Nations-brokered peace process for the Horn of Africa nation, which has been stuck in civil conflict for the last 17 years. Shebab has rejected a tentative, UN-negotiated pact to set up a power-sharing administration.
After taking over Merka, Shebab commander Mohamed Sheikh Abdi Muse ordered traders to close businesses during prayer time.
“Our aim is to implement Islamic Sharia in the region and everybody should know that we are equal,” Muse told residents. – Sapa-AFP, Reuters
[Reply]
November 14th, 2008 at 9:09 AM
Elias
You know weyane is like a sleeping lion. It once triggered attacks to its enemy to total demise. You can think o0f what hapened to your derg, Shaebya, EDU and you yourself.
Keep waiting and you will see what Woyn sweeet will do to the Al-shabab terrorists you are hopting they will return you back to Addis….
[Reply]
November 14th, 2008 at 10:12 AM