From: Biniam Haile \(SWE\) (eritrea.lave@comhem.se)
Date: Tue May 12 2009 - 14:18:02 EDT
Somalia: Al-Shabab to attack presidential palace
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
MOGADISHU (Mareeg)-The Somali Islamist movement of al-Shabab is going to
launch a big offensive to the presidential palace to overthrow the
fledgling government, sources told Mareeg on Tuesday.
The move comes as thousands of civilians fled from the capital, and it
is unpredictable what will happen to the remaining civilians in
Mogadishu if the plan puts on practice.
Sources say Somali officials of al-Shabab suggested a plan to attack
and capture the presidential palace but the Shabab foreign officials
said it is good to use artillery at first to weaken the power of the
government soldiers and the AU troops who are defending the president
and his staff.
Sheik Hussein Ali Fidow, the head of policy and regions of al-Shabab
confirmed that foreign fighters are fighting along them and he warned
against the people to describe expatriates.
The Shabab officials had a meeting in a house in the corner district of
Deyniile in Mogadishu and decided to launch a big offensive to dislodge
the fragile government from the country.
Residents said that at least 18 battle wagons from Kismayu have reached
in Mogadishu on Tuesday to participate the fighting against the
government.
The Islamists are making reinforcement from Gedo, Bay, and Bakol regions
in southern Somalia to overthrow the UN-recognized government and
establish an Islamic state in Somalia.
The African Union troops are defending some key areas in Mogadishu
like the presidential palace, the port, and the airport.
amsomalia@mareeg.com
http://www.mareeg.com/fidsan.php?sid=12010
<http://www.mareeg.com/fidsan.php?sid=12010&tirsan=3> &tirsan=3
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