Al-Shabab Rebuffs Allegations of Targeting Foreign Fighters

Mogadishu May 19 2013 (SDN) -Somalia’s militant group, Al Shabab has responded allegations of targeting foreign fighters made by one of its top officials, Sheikh Hassan Dahir Aweys. In an Arabic language statement issued by Al shabab has said the some of its elements are seeking to create divisions among the Mujahiden.  In last week Sheikh Hassan Dahir Aweys who is high-ranking Al shabab member has blamed Al Shabaab chief Ahmed Abdi Godane for “targeting foreign fighters” and for “unilateral decisions” that led to the militant group losing territory to Somali government forces aided by AMISOM peacekeepers. Sheikh Aweys, who was leader of the Islamic Courts Union in 2006 that led to Al Shabaab splinter group, said in the audio statement that Mr. Godane “rejected” a proposal to set up new leadership for Al Shabaab militant group. Aweys blamed Godane for “targeting, arresting, killing, and hunting down foreign fighters” who fought alongside Al Shabaab militants since 2007. Al Shabaab foreign fighter, Abu Mansur Al-Amriki, from the U.S., recently published posts on his Twitter account claiming that he had survived an “assassination attempt” by Al Shabaab gunmen. In April, senior Al Shabaab member Ibrahim Afghani, issued an 8-page report written in Arabic and addressed to Al Qaeda leadership in central Asia, demanding new leadership for Al Shabaab militants in Somalia.

SDN Mogadishu