Shabaab claim responsibility for Garissa attacks

A victim of the Garissa churches terrorist attack being wheeled into a waiting ambulance at the Wilson Airport on July 1, 2012. Somalia militia Al-Shabaab has claimed responsibility for the twin church attacks in Garissa last Sunday that killed 17 people July 3, 2012. SALATON NJAU

Somalia militia Al-Shabaab has claimed responsibility for the twin church attacks in Garissa last Sunday that killed 17 people.

The attacks on the African Inland Church (AIC) and a Catholic Church in the northern Kenyan town left at least 50 nursing serious wounds.

Sheikh Hassan Takar, an Al-Shabaab loyalist, said Tuesday that the militia killed people who did not profess allegiance to Allah.

“The mujahedeen (holy warriors) punished with their hands those believing and worshipping other than Allah,” said Sheikh Takar.

“The militants will continue until such practice is eliminated."

He said the Al-Shabaab were unhappy with Somalia Prime Minister Abdiweli Mohamed Ali for sending condolences to the people of Kenya and the families and friends of those affected by the grenade attacks.

“(PM) Abdiweli belongs to the Western mentality and has no feeling for Islam,” he said.

Last year, Sheikh Takar participated in an Al-Shabaab- organised conference, urging the movement’s leaders to declare Somalia an Islamic state ruled through a strict Sharia (Islamic laws).

In October last year, Kenya its troops into Somalia to pursue of militia, who stood accused of endangering the country's security and economy, following a wave of kidnappings and terror attacks.