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| Last Updated: Jun 14, 2010 - 8:03:37 PM |
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Somalia: Hundreds of Al-Shabaab fighters finish training
2 Jan 2, 2010 - 12:39:19 AM
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Hundreds of Al-Shabaab fighters have completed military trainings in the restive capital Mogadishu as top leaders in attendance vowing fight against the African Union troops and UN-backed Somali government.
The ceremony was held in the capital’s northern Huriwa district at the group’s base in Suqa Holaha where several people and top Al-Shabaab officials including Sheikh Mukhtar Robow Ali Abu Mansur.
“The new fighters have finished their military training and are ready to fight Amisom that has taken over the country’s source of economy. If they die, they are martyrs and will be rewarded in hereafter. If they survive they will live in blissful life,” he told the crowd.
He reiterated the group’s ambitions to topple the fragile UN-backed government and target anyone who support the government.
Another Al-Shabaab top official called Sheikh Fuad Mohammed Khalaf, who spoke at the ceremony, said the new recruits were specially trained to oust the AU troops from the country, insisting that the group is intact.
“The reports that say we are divided is false and we are engaged in alliance with Hizbul Islam to accomplish our mission of depose the government and its backers AU and UN,” he said.
The group’s spokesman Sheikh Ali Mohammed Raghe Ali Dhere said the fighters were trained in the country and are willingly recruited to take part in the holy war.
“The fighters are trained in the country, they are ready to employ their tactics and uphold their oath of driving the enemy of Allah out of the country.”
This comes as the UN-backed government announced its plans to drive the insurgents out of the country in a major offensive in the New Year.
Al-Shabaab controls much of the south and central Somalia and is currently involved in arm struggle in the capital, which the TFG controls few blocks.
GAROWE ONLINE
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