AMISOM Warns Al Shabaab Against Attacks

By Staff Writer

MOGADISHU---The United Nations Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) has criticised the order by the extremist group Al Shabab for civilians living under their control to fight against the Somali government and AMISOM, saying it is further evidence of the militants’ blatant disregard for the rights of innocent Somalis and their grand scheme of ensuring the continued suffering of innocent civilians.

On Monday, the Al Shabab spokesman, Sheik Ali Mohamud Rage, declared that “traditional elders, females, youth and even the children” should support the foreign-led and Al Qaida allied group, by raising resources, including manpower, against AMSIOM, the Somali Government and the international community.

“AMISOM condemns the militants’ move which not only grossly violates the citizens’ human rights but also the law of armed conflict as well as religious provisions and teachings. The AMISOM further condemns Monday’s suicide bombing in Mogadishu’s Hamar Jabjab district which targeted a police station and killed at least 7 people, including children aged 10 and 11, and injured several others”, a statement sent to newsrooms said.

 “It is clear that the extremists consider the people of Somalia to be nothing more than cannon fodder for their war. Their atrocities against the population have already forced 80 per cent of the population to move to government controlled areas to escape their brutality.”

Since April 2010, the extremists have lost much of the ground they once controlled in the capital to TFG and AMISOM troops who now control 60 per cent of Mogadishu. In the last three days, TFG/AMISOM troops have dislodged the extremists from some of their key bases and taken control of a tunnel system they used to harass innocent people.