 The most powerful Somali religious leader and founder of Al-Ittihad al-Islami (AIAI) armed Somali militia, Sheik Hassan Dahir Aweys said he and his followers are getting ready for war with Somalia’s enemies. In an exclusive interview with SomaliNet’s Hassan Ali in Mogadishu, the Sheik said they will no longer be mere spectators of what Ethiopia and its cronies are doing to Somalia. "High ranking Ethiopian military officers have been in Jowhar, 90 KM away from Mogadishu for the past few months. We must wage Jihad against them" he said. Sheik Aways accused Jowhar based interim government of selling the country to Ethiopia and renewing Somalia’s civil war. "We have been mobilizing all of our assets in the past few months and we are ready to die for saving Somalia" He said.
| "Not me, personally, of course, but lots of those guys over there! All of 'em, in fact... Except for the ones who owe me money..." |
Al-Ittihad al-Islami had fought with Ethiopian forces inside Somalia many times in the past. Sheik Aweys who has been silent for a long time is now open about his intentions. Political analysts say he can no longer be on the sidelines because his longtime foe and worst enemy is at his doorsteps. Alitihad tried to assassinate then Puntland president, Abdulahi Yusuf Ahmed and capture port city of Bosaso in early years of the civil war. Alitihad members and sympathizers were persecuted in Puntland ever since that failed coup.
Now, Mr. Yusuf is the head of the interim government and is in Jowhar. The interim government is mainly symbolic with no power at this time. However, it is seen as a growing monster by many.
| Interesting description of having an actual government... |
Mogadishu warlords who are opposed to the interim government are also threatening to unseat Jowhar based fragile government by force. They tell Mogadishu residents that Ethiopia and Abdulahi Yussuf of Puntland (northeast region of Somalia) are right on their doorsteps in Jowhar and it is time to defeat them. The US government believes Al-Ittihad al-Islami has ties with Alqaeda and is on the list of US watched terrorist organizations. |