Somalia
Somalia: Fighters and weapons 'pour into Kismayo'
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Sep 26, 2009 - 11:41:14 PM

KISMAYO, Somalia Sep 26 (Garowe Online) - Islamist fighters and weapons are pouring into the southern Somali port of Kismayo, days after a political dispute among Islamists surfaced publicly, Radio Garowe reports.

Fighters loyal to Al Shabaab and Hizbul Islam factions are reportedly pouring into Kismayo, with unconfirmed reports that the fighters have taken up positions in different parts of the town.

Al Shabaab fighters

"Kismayo is full of fighters and armed trucks that are pouring in. Al Shabaab is based in north Kismayo and Hizbul Islam fighters are in the south [of Kismayo]," said a resident speaking on the condition of anonymity.

Another resident said leaflets have been proliferated throughout Kismayo, with messages opposed to the Al Shabaab administration in town.

Earlier this week, Al Shabaab changed the Kismayo administration's name to the Islamic Walaayah of Jubba, angering a key Islamist figure in southern Somalia allied to Hizbul Islam. READ: Islamist leader snubs Al Shabaab rulers in Kismayo

Sheikh Hassan "Turki" Abdullahi, the deputy chairman of Hizbul Islam, had declared that he "will not accept" the new Al Shabaab administration in Kismayo.

He leads the Ras Kamboni Brigade, which joined three other Islamist factions in Feb. 2009 to form Hizbul Islam. Another Hizbul Islam member faction, Anole, maintains a strong presence in Lower Jubba region, where Kismayo is located.

On Saturday, Al Shabaab spokesman Sheikh Ali "Dheere" Mohamud told Mogadishu-based radio stations that Sheikh Turki is the "one of the founders" of the Islamist movement in Somalia.

"We admire Sheikh Hassan Turki…He is the father of the blessed war in Somalia and we declare that we [Al Shabaab] are ready for unity," said Sheikh Ali Dheere.

He downplayed the possibility of an outbreak of violence between Al Shabaab and Hizbul Islam, two factions that have cooperated in the violent insurgency to overthrow the Somali interim government and its African Union backers in Mogadishu.

Unconfirmed reports said Sheikh Turki is currently in Mogadishu for talks with senior Hizbul Islam and Al Shabaab commanders. Sheikh Hassan Dahir Aweys, the Hizbul Islam chairman, has not spoken publicly about the dispute in Kismayo.

Source: Garowe Online