The self-proclaimed leader of Somalia’s Al-Shabaab militant has vowed that his group will intensify its war with Un-backed Somali government and African Union peacekeeping troops in the restive capital Mogadishu.

In a voice message released for the commemoration of Eid ul-adha , Sheikh Mukhtar Abdirahman Abu-Zubeyr said the fighting will only stop if the current government is toppled and the foreign forces leave the war-torn country.

“We will only cease fire when the current government quits and AMISOM
leaves the country,” he said, urging Somalis to support their course.

However, Abu-Zubeyr, unlike his previous messages, did not mention the peaceful states of Somaliland and Puntland in his latest message. The fight with Hizbul Islam, their new rivals, was also left out the topic.

On the other hand, Al-Shabaab’s Spokesman Sheikh Ali Mohamud Rage aka Sheikh Ali Dhere said the group would apply the same strategy it used
against Ethiopian troops to forcibly thrust AU troops out of the country.

The group, which has large swathes of southern and central under its control, is currently involved in heavy clashes with government and AU troops in the capital Mogadishu.

GAROWE ONLINE