(SomaliNet) A new Islamist group called ‘Somali People’s Insurgence Movement’ which supports the ousted Islamic Courts Union Friday has for the first time claimed the responsibility of the guerilla-style attacks against the interim government and Ethiopian forces in the capital. Rallies organized by the group have today taken place in parts of Mogadishu where hundreds of supporters protested against the deployment of the African Union peacekeepers in Somalia and the presence of the Ethiopian forces in the country. The protests have been staged in north and south of the capital Mogadishu where the demonstrators burnt the flags of Ethiopia and America and also African nations that offered to send troops into Somalia. In Huriwaa neighborhood, north of the capital, around two hundred people turned out chanting slogans against Transitional Federal Government and its Ethiopian ally. They also sent strong warning to the African states that pledged to deploy troops in Somalia.
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He particularly warned the owners of the hotels in Mogadishu not to hire their hotels for the government officials, Ethiopians and any other involved people. "I am going to inform the coming African troops not to risk their lives in Somalia... here will be the graveyards for your bodies if you don’t back out your decision of deployment.”
It was for the first time that SPIM came to public and announced it would prepare more attacks on the government positions in Mogadishu warning the civilians to avoid areas of TFG and Ethiopian forces.
In Tarabunka square, south of Mogadishu, similar protest has raged where hundreds of rallied after Friday prayer. The protestors condemned the transitional government for the attacks against the civilians as last week seven people have been killed in separate night time artillery shells that hit villages in the capital in response of the mortar attacks launched by the insurgent groups. “This gathering is about to criticize Abdulahi Yusuf and his so called government and is also about to show that the people’s spirit is strong and wish to support the resumption of Islamic Courts.. we blame all problems in the country on Abdulahi Yusuf, the ruthless. We will not forgive him and Insha Allah he will fail once.. we are the ones who will gain the last victory,” said Ayan, a veiled woman who was among the protestors. No government official has yet given comments on the rallies in the capital and the appearance of new Islamist group.