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Africa Horn
Militia seizes strategic town from Somali Govt forces
2015-06-08
DHUSAMAREB, Somalia -- Ahlu Sunna Waljamea militia has seized Galgadud regional capital of Dhusamareb from Somali government forces, signifying a new blow to the ongoing state formation process, Garowe Online reports.
Per Wiki, Ahlu Suna Waljamaaca is a Somalia-based paramilitary group consisting of moderate Sufis opposed to radical Islamist groups such as Al-Shabaab. They are fighting to prevent strict Sharia and Wahhabism from being imposed, and protecting the local Sunni-Sufi traditions and generally moderate religious views. During the civil war, the organization worked in cooperation with faction leader Mohamed Farrah Aidid. The group opposes laws banning music and khat, and hardline capital punishment or limb amputations advocated by extremist interpretations of Islam. They oppose the tearing down of religious shrines and stoning. They've previously fought against Shebaab.
According to residents, militiamen in fighting vehicles have begun squeezing government soldiers out of key army bases and a police compound in Dhusamareb in the early hours of Sunday morning. Al though a gun-battle triggered by the military push lasted few hours, the exact number of casualty figures has not been disclosed to the media.

A spokesman for the paramilitary unit said, they are in control of Dhusamareb.

Somali government forces fled to Adado where state formation convention is underway according to Himan and Heeb administration official, Arays Mohamed Haji.

In December, moderate Islamists wrested control of nearby Guri’el, however under a new deal, Ahlu Sunna agreed to de-escalate armed tensions.

The capture of Dhusamareb comes a week after the group which adheres to Sufism pulled out of Adado conference and severed ties with Mogadishu-based Federal Government.
Posted by:Steve White

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