ISIL loyalty sparks off deadly battle in southern Somalia

SAAKOW, Somalia, November 12, 2015 (Garowe Online)-As bickering over allegiance to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant heats up, two Al Shabaab factions clashed in deadly battle in Middle Jubba region of southern Somalia according to residents, Garowe Online reports.

The battle that left nine fighters from the opposing sides dead occurred in Raamo area, 30km east of Middle Jubba regional district of Saakow.

Witnesses told VOA Somali Service that clashes flared up after Pro-Al Qaeda militants attacked ISIL sympathizers regrouping in the area.

At least eight others are believed to have been wounded in the fighting.

Last week, Al Shabaab spokesman, Ali Mohamud Rag warned unnamed individuals within the beleaguered group in what appear to be emerging dissension and splinter.

Fissures came to light in mid-October, when militants put 30 people blamed for leaning towards the Islamic State behind bars in Jilib and Jamame towns.

Leaflets carrying: “We support the Islamic State’ and ‘we are the sons of the caliphate,’ were sighted in Jamame at the time, prompting pro-Al Qaeda factions to make surprise roundups.

Boko Haram is spearheading calls for beleaguered Somali militants to swear loyalty to al-Baghdadi in its latest message.

Nigerian terror group has advised Al Shabaab to consider the benefit of uniting under a single caliph.

Somali government forces aided by African Union peacekeepers have made advances on the frontline, hemming militants deeper into remote areas in central and southern Somalia.

GAROWE ONLINE