Africa
Somalia militant groups in fierce clash
MOGADISHU, Wednesday
Somalia militants groups Hizbu Islam and al-Shabaab clashed today engaged in fierce clash west Kismayu, the capital of Lower region.
Most of the fighting took place between Afmadow and Janay Abdalla villages, 90km west of Kismayu.
Sheikh Hassan Yakoub Ali, the spokesman of al-Shabaab in the Juba region, said that his fighters were attacked by militias loyal to Sheikh Ahmed Mohamed Islam, a leader of Hizbu Islam militants.
Speaking to Al-Andalus radio in Kismayu, 500km south of Mogadishu, Sheikh Yakoub reiterated that al-Shabaab fighters repelled an aggression.
“Our fighters responded to an assault and remain in their positions,” said Sheikh Yakoub.
“The attackers left behind dead bodies,” he added.
Ever since al-Shabaab appointed an authority in Kismayu in late last month, the relationship between the two Islamic hardliners has been worsening. Hizbu Islam officials vehemently rejected al-Shabaab’s unilateral decision to nominate an administration for Kismayu and the largely agricultural Juba regions.
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They war is not between two islamic hardliners. It is between the local tribes and the Al-Shabab militia. Sheikh Ahmed Madobe, the leader of Raas Kambooni group, is fighting the shabab for control of the port where Al-Shabab gets taxes, fighters and supplies to continue the war. It is the Al Shabaab terrorists versus The local clans trying to establish a regional goverment for the Kismayu area.
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