Two aid agencies that Somalia’s hardline Islamist group Al-Shabaab ordered out of Somalia for propagating Christianity in predominately Muslim country have reacted to the ban, saying they are only providing humanitarian aid to the devastated population.

 “It was shocking to us and we never thought this will happen, we only help the civilians, we don’t work on religion or politics," said the spokesperson of WORLD VISION Amanda Koech.

The spokesperson said their agency works only to help the people who need aid all over the world, and Somalia is one of the countries the agency operates in, adding that their employees are still in Waajid, Bu'aale and Baydhabo cities in southern Somalia.

Statement from ADRA aid agency says the agency will suspend temporarily their operations in Bay, Bakool iyo Hiiraan regions of Somalia, and it will effect 180,000 people which the agency use to give them free health, education and clean water.

"We help the people regardless of their religion, language or nationality, we assist everyone who is hungry, and we will continue to operate in the areas that Al-Shabaab doesn’t control," ADRA said in the statement.

Al-Shabaab militias have taken over compounds of the banned agencies.

The Islamist group previously seized UN compounds in Bay, Bakool, Lower and Middle Jubba regions in southern Somalia, after it ordered the world body out of Somalia

WORLD VISION and ADRA agencies are owned by Americans, while DIAKONIA agency is owned from Sweden.

GAROWE ONLINE