Tag Archives: Somalia

Hizbul Islam claimed it defeated the forces of the pro-government forces of the Ahlu Sunna Wal Jama™a in Mogadishu. The government and Ahlu Sunna Wal Jama™a are prepared to retake control of the south from Shabaab and Hizbul Islam.

Eight people were killed in Mogadishu during clashes between Hizbul Islam and government forces. Three people were killed in an IED attack in Bosaso in Puntland. Shabaab leader Sheikh Muktar Abdirahman Abu Zubeyr released an audiotape.

Ten people were killed and 20 more were wounded during clashes in Mogadishu between rivals Hizbul Islam and Shabaab. Hizbul Islam ordered men to grow beards and women to wear the veil. “Anyone who is caught defying the order will be punished,” the group said in a statement played on several radio stations.

A minister claimed that Hizbul Islam is in negotiations with the government. Hizbul Islam leader Sheikh Hassan Dahir Aweys said his forces conceded Beledweyne to avoid a confrontation with Shabaab. Soldiers stormed the presidential palace to protest not being paid.

Hizbul Islam leader Sheikh Hassan Dahir Aweys denied that factions of his group have defected and joined rival Shabaab. Ahlu Sunnah Wal Jama’a appointed a new military commander.

A faction of the Hizbul Islam based in the town of Beledweyne has merged with Shabaab. “We are hereby declaring our resolve to unite with our fellow jihadists (holy warriors) in this strategic Hiran region,” Sheikh Abdulkadir Haji Ahmed told a crowd.

Hizbul Islam killed two World Cup soccer fans and detained 10 more in Mogadishu, and detained 30 more in Afgoye. Four Shabaab fighters were detained in the semi-autonomous region of Somaliland.

Ahlu Sunna Wal Jama™a ordered a nighttime curfew in Guri El after an attack on a leader’s home on June 12. Shabaab ordered people in Kismayo not to watch the World Cup soccer match.

In Mogadishu, 10 people were killed in fighting between soldiers and policemen over food distribution. Shabaab has taken control of Beledweyne. Islamists assassinated a judge in Puntland and attacked the home of a leader of Ahlu Sunna Wal Jama’a.

The pro-government Ahlu Sunna Wal-Jamma’a claimed it killed four Shabaab fighters and captured one more in Dhusamareb. Pirates released a British-flagged tanker and its crew of eight. The European Union™s Indian Ocean naval task force claimed to have destroyed 25 pirate “action groups” this year.

Shabaab released a videotape of captive French security official Denis Allex, who was kidnapped in Mogadishu last summer. Shabaab demanded the release of several prisoners in exchange for Allex, but did not threaten to kill him.

Shabaab killed seven Somali soldiers in a bombing in Mogadishu. Deputy Shabaab leader Sheikh Mukhtar Robow Ali Abu Mansoor was reportedly wounded during fighting in the capital. Shabaab issued a fatwa against Universal TV for displaying a cartoon of the Prophet Mohammed.

US and Somali intelligence officials claim that between 300-1200 foreign fighters have become part of Shabaab. The group’s leaders are foreign and it receives support and direction from al Qaeda central in Pakistan.

Two Ugandan soldiers were killed last week during fighting in Mogadishu. Hizbul Islam warned of “air raids” by foreign governments. The pro-government Ahlu Sunnah Wal Jama’a denied cutting off communications in Dusomareb.

The pro-government Ahlu Sunnah Wal Jama’a claimed 90 Shabaab fighters were killed during recent clashes in Mogadishu’s Bakara market. Ten Shabaab fighters were killed in a vehicle accident in the Bay region. Ahlu Sunnah Wal Jama’a shut down telecommunications in Dhusamareb as part of a “military tactic.”

Fighting between Shabaab and government forces in Mogadishu killed 23 people, most of whom are civilians. US intelligence officials said more than 200 foreign fighters are in Somalia.