Six killed as rival Islamists clash in Somalia
A handout by IntelCenter shows members of Somalia’s hardline Islamist rebel group al Shabaab, whom IntelCenter described as marching with weapons during a graduation ceremony in Mogadishu. Photo/FILE
MOGADISHU, Monday
At least six people died and four others were wounded in confrontations between rival Islamists at Qordhere settlement in Middle Shabelle region, around 120 km north of Mogadishu on Sunday afternoon.
The clashes occurred when combatants loyal to Ahlu Sunna wal-Jamea, a moderate Islamist group, ambushed fighters of Al-Shabaab, the strongest radical Islamist movement opposing the Transitional Federal Government in Somalia.
Residents in the area who declined to give names for security reasons confirmed to Nation that the battles were heavy and both sides used light and heavy guns, including anti-aircraft machines. They added that almost all victims were fighters.
The battles at Qordhere settlement followed earlier confrontations that had taken place at Raghe Elle sub-district, 30 km away to the north-east.
Sheikh Abdulaahi Abdurahman Abu Yusuf Al-qadi, the spokesman of Ahlu Sunna wal-Jamea in Central Somalia, claimed that his group attacked militants of Al-Shabaab in both Raghe Elle and Qordhere. He added that his combatants evicted Al-Shabaab fighters from both locations.
Sheikh Yusuf Al-qadi informed the media that Ahlu Sunna started the new wave of attacks to expel Al-Shabaab fighters from Middle Shabelle region, including the regional capital, Jowhar, 90 km north of Mogadishu. He claimed that his loyalists could not resist degradation and abuses from Al-Shabaab fighters, hence, reacting resolutely.
“As for today 4th of April, we start a campaign to clean Al-Shabaab fighters from Middle Shabelle and other parts of Central Somalia,” remarked Sheikh Yusuf Al-qadi.
“No turning back until we get our full independence from the radical group,” he added.
On the other hand, Sheikh Bukhari Aden Abdi, the top Al-Shabaab Officer in Middle Shabelle, dismissed the victorious claims by Ahlu Sunna. However, he admitted that his fighters were ambushed.
Reports from the area indicate that the fresh clashes are forcing many villagers and pastoralists to flee from the war zones, thus causing hardships.
Last week, followers of Ahlu Sunna wal-Jamea staged a demonstration in Mogadishu, vowing to fight Al-Shabaab fighters. They were angered by Al-Shabaab's campaign to destroy religious shrines and excavation of tombs where sheikhs celebrated by moderate Sufis are buried.
The destroyed shines and tombs in Mogadishu contained, among others, the remains of Sheikh Mohydin Elly’, Sheikh Aden Dhere and Sheikh Biyamalow.
