Radical group to set up new Somalia administration

MOGADISHU, Wednesday

Sheikh Mohamed Osman Arus, the Chief of Operations of Hizbu Islam, one of the Islamist groups opposing the Transitional Federal Government in Somalia, has on Wednesday announced that his movement is soon going to establish an authority in Mudug region in Central Somalia.

Sheikh Arus held a press conference for the local media to announce that his forces reached many villages and settlements in Mudug region, including the coastal town of Haradhere, formerly a pirate haven, 490 kilometres north east of Mogadishu.

In Mudug region

“We have been welcomed by the people in nearly 30 villages and settlements in Mudug region,” said Sheikh Arus. “The Muslim people in this part want our Sharia (Islamic) based  rule,” he added.

If Hizbu Islam’s dream is attained, Mudug region will have five parallel authorities. There had already been four administrations in the area, namely Puntland State, Galmudug State, Himan & Heb and Ahlu Sunna wal-Jamea.

Most rule over clan territories, generally considered as one of the chaotic by products of Somalia’s two decades-old civil war.