Somalia
Somalia rebels vow to defend against govt offensive
By
Mar 8, 2010 - 8:14:09 AM

Senior security officer for Somalia’s Hizbul Islam said his group will defend itself from any attack by the Somali government.

Sheikh  Ibrahim Bare  Mohammed, who is Hizbul Islam’s Deputy commander in Banadir region, vowed that his group will do everything to retain the control of the bullet-riddled capital, saying they are not afraid of the United States.

“We are controlling many part of Mogadishu…….we will defend…..because we already controlled….we can’t accept our enemy to handle this region and we are not afraid of American government” said sheikh Ibrahim.

He adds, ““God is with us….we will defeat any attack from the Somali government.” 

The UN-backed government announced that it has finished preparation to launch the much awaited offensive against the powerful insurgents.

Senior US security officials were quoted as saying that Washington is planning to support the TFG through aerial attacks and conducting nighttime surveillance in the Al-Shabaab-controlled areas of the capital 

"What you are likely to see is air strikes and Special Ops moving in, hitting and getting out," the official is quoted as saying.

The fragile government, led by Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, only controls handful of areas in Mogadishu with much of the countries south and central falling under the hands of insurgents.

GAROWE ONLINE