By Abdalle Ahmed
Mogadishu (RBC) Militant fighters in Somalia, Al Shabab said they have got newly recruited fighters and that they will boost up their rebellion activities against Somali government and the African Union forces [AMISOM], Al Shabab commander said.
Hundreds of the newly recruited fighters, mostly masked young men were seen matching the road between Ambareeso village and Baraawe town, the only Al Shabab’s stronghold in Middle Shabelle region, 350 km south of Somalia capital..
Al Shabab’s Middle Shabelle region commander Mohamed abu Cabdalla who addressed the young fighters vowed they will destroy the bases of AMISOM and Somali government forces.
“You are the braves of the Mujahidin, your duty is to liberate the land of Muslims from the christian invaders.” abu Cabdalla told the young masked men holding AK-47, Rocket Propelled Grenades (RPGs), Mortars, Anti Aircraft guns.
A pro-Al Shabab cleric Sheikh Jama Abdisalam said the new fighters have shown their willingness to fight for the religion and to return back what he called as “Al Shabab’s lost power” in Somalia.
“We are waiting for you as we look how you are committed to regain the power of the Xarakah [group] in this land.” Sheikh Abdisalam said.
He also warned them to avoid internal conflict referring to the recent foiled kill attempt against Omar Hamammi, American-born Al Shabab member attacked by other Al Shabab rival group in Baay region of southern Somalia. Hamammi posted pictures of showing his injured wounds and blamed the attack for Al Shabab leaders.
Al Shabab’s Sunday maneuver in Baraawe town becomes the biggest military show up in southern Somalia since the group lost large swathes of land in southern Somalia following heavy military assault by the government forces backed by the African Union mission.
The show up came as Somalia government warned three weeks ago that the extremist group was gathering a lured teenagers to fight for them.
RBC Radio