Somalia: Faction Head Denies Joining Rival Group

Ahlu sunnah Waljama - Somali Terror Group

A vocal Islamist leader allied to Hizbul Islam group has denied allegations that he has joined Ahlu Sunna Waljama’a, a government-friendly force. Sheikh Ahmed Mohamed Islam also known as Madobe, a Raskamboni brigade head said on Wednesday that he’s still with Hizbul Islam and will remain loyal to it. This follows media reports that cited him as having joined Ahlu Sunna Waljama’a after its spokesman Sheikh Abdullahi Sheikh Abdirahman Abu Yusuf pronounced total war against Madobe’s side.

Ahlu Sunna Waljama’a is currently fighting in Beledweyne town in Hiraan region with Hizbul Islam. The move could have been a big blow against Al-Shabaab according to media analysts. The two sides have been fighting over the past week, with dozens of fighters dying. In October last year after, fighting ensued among the two rival groups killed 40 people in the town. Al-Shabaab is fighting to enforce a strict interpretation of Islamic law (sharia) in the country against the more moderate version proposed by the government. Since the beginning of 2007, clashes have killed 19,000 Somalis and displaced 1.5 million people. Somalia has not had an effective government for two decades.

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