From: Berhane Habtemariam (Berhane.Habtemariam@gmx.de)
Date: Mon Sep 28 2009 - 07:11:36 EDT
Breaking News: Somalia: Al Shabaab withdraw from Kismayo
Sep 28, 2009 - 6:15:11 PM
KISMAYO, Somalia Sep 27 (Garowe Online) - Fighters loyal to Somalia's
Islamist faction Al Shabaab have withdrawn from the important southern port
of Kismayo, Radio Garowe reports.
Fighters loyal to Ras Kamboni Brigade and Anole have poured into Kismayo,
forcing the bulk of Al Shabaab guerrillas to peacefully leave the port town
overnight Saturday, local sources told Puntland-based Radio Garowe.
Some Al Shabaab elements are still in control of the police station and the
city is calm, the sources added.
Al Shabaab fighters have regrouped in the agricultural town of Jamame,
located north of Kismayo, but also in Lower Jubba region.
Ras Kamboni and Anole are part of four factions that merged to form Hizbul
Islam in Feb. 2009, with Sheikh Hassan Dahir Aweys as chairman. Sheikh
Hassan "Turki" Abdullahi, the leader of Ras Kamboni, is the deputy chairman
of Hizbul Islam faction.
Sheikh Ahmed "Madobe" Mohamed, a key ally of Sheikh Turki, led Hizbul Islam
fighters into Kismayo and seized control of key locations of the town.
In recent days, Sheikh Turki has publicly opposed Al Shabaab's declaration
of an administration in Kismayo that excludes other powerful groups, namely
Ras Kamboni and Anole. Both Ras Kamboni and Anole represent local clans, who
fought alongside Al Shabaab to overthrow warlord Barre Hirale in Aug. 2008.
The U.S. and Australian governments have blacklisted Al Shabaab as a
terrorist organization. On Sep. 17, Al Shabaab suicide car bombers killed
African Union peacekeepers in the Somali capital Mogadishu, killing 21
people.
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