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Top Islamic cleric declares Jihad against Ethiopia
The arrival of the Ethiopian troops in some regions of Somalia indicates the animosity of the Ethiopian government that it has been unwilling for goodness and nationalism to the Somali society for 16 years, supreme leader of consultative council of Islamic courts Sheikh Hassan Dahir Aweys said in an interview with Mogadishu based Somalia Radio Shabelle on Friday. Sheikh Aweys who is now in Somalia central Galgadud region harshly attacked the Ethiopian intervention as illegal occupation in Somalia territory and declared all out holy war (Jihad) against Ethiopian forces in Bay and Bakol regions in southwest of Somalia.

“The world community should know the clear aggression by Ethiopia into Somalia and also Somalis have to understand that Ethiopia never wish bless for them,” Sheikh Aweys said. “I urge all Somali people to defend their country from Ethiopia and keep their independence existed,” The sovereignty is not received by begging but it is reached through struggle and war, he said “people should die for their freedom and scarify life and property,”
Freedom? Under Islam?
When asked what to do since Ethiopian troops have occupied in Baidoa town to protect the UN backed transitional federal government, Sheikh Aweys quoted an Arabic proverb which says ‘seek the death to get life’. “There is no other option for Somali people (Muslims) rather than to fight Ethiopian soldiers till to withdraw from their land,” Sheikh Dahir Aweys, a prominent cleric and key founder of Islamic Courts said.

He condemned the transitional federal government based in the provincial town of Baidoa for handing over the country into the Christian Ethiopia government which is the only enemy in the region. “Is the Baidoa based government Somali or member of Ethiopia? Is it responsible for Somali people and the republic or for Ethiopia? It is surprisingly that Ethiopia is thought to own Somalia,” the Sheikh said adding “I am certifying that Somalia government is an Ethiopian government,”

Sheikh Hassan Dahir Aweys –accused by Washington of being in the list of US wanted terrorists but denied that accusation – appealed the Somali’s interim government in Baidoa 240km southwest of the capital to back out its plan of fueling war or make it clear that they belong to Ethiopians. He also called on international community to act quickly the deliberate aggression by Ethiopian in Somalia otherwise the world will not have to regret what the bad consequence that will result from the Ethiopian intervention.
Bad timing, Sheikh. The rest of the world is busy at the moment. Leave a number and we'll get back to you.

Sheikh Aweys said they are still ready to negotiate with the government officials. “but it is misfortune that Ethiopian backed Somali government seemed be prepared to wage war in the country.
Posted by: Steve 2006-07-21
http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=160351