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| Last Updated: Dec 15, 2011 - 11:05:44 AM |
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Somalia: Aweys vows to continue with the fight
5 Feb 5, 2010 - 1:20:07 PM
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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.
GAROWE ONLINE
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