From: Berhane Habtemariam (Berhane.Habtemariam@gmx.de)
Date: Sat Feb 06 2010 - 06:11:56 EST
Somalia: Aweys vows to continue with the fight
Feb 6, 2010 - 1:20:07 PM
Somalia's Hizbul Islam leader Sheikh Hassan Dahir Aweys said on Friday that
he will continue with the war against fragile transition government and
African Union forces in the capital Mogadishu.
"My resolution is to continue with the fighting because it's the only way to
defend our country from those who want to rule. I will die for my course,"
said Sheikh Aweys.
He vowed not back down or enter any agreement with the government until the
foreign forces leave the war-torn country.
"No agreement with anyone until the enemy leaves the country, we don't
recognize any form of government in the country at the moment. Its just
puppet for AMISOM," he said.
Commenting about the recent absconding of a Hizbul Islam splinter group to
Al-Shabaab, Sheikh Hassan Aweys termed it a decision by some weak
individuals.
"It will not have any effect on my plans and the holy war, it's just another
intrigue of Somali politics," he stated.
The 65-year old cleric was involved in the Somali armed struggle since the
eruption of civil war nearly two decades, however, he intensified his
opposition after his former ally Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed was elected
president early last year.
Meanwhile, a Hizbul Islam official who was opposed to merging forces with
Al-Shabaab and splinter group Raskamboni brigade, has survived a grenade
attack in the capital Mogadishu,
Bare Ali Bare was attacked by unknown assailants while entering his house in
the capital on Thursday.
"I was heading to my house when assailants attacked me, I escaped unharmed.
The assailants are anti-Islam," said Bare.
Bare, who is also a member of Raskamboni has opposed the decision by his
group leader Sheikh Hassan Abdullahi Al-Turki to join forces with
Al-Shabaab.
"We, as a group, were not involved anyway with the Baidoa agreement. We are
telling Somalis that we are still part of Hizbul Islam," he said.
No group has claimed responsibility for the attack. However, this rekindles
the bitter enmity between the two groups, which have been involved in bloody
war over the control of southern Somalia.
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