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The leader of Hisb al-Islam, Shaykh Hasan Dahir Aweys, has
today held a news conference in Mogadishu in which he
admitted his deputy; Shaykh Hasan Turki has joined the
Movement for the Al-Shabab Mujahidin.
Aweys today held a news conference in Mogadishu while
dressed in combat uniform and confirmed that Hisb al-Islam's
deputy chairman and other senior officials of the group have
joined the movement for the Al-Shabab Mujahidin.
Aweys has dismissed reports indicating that the Raas
Kaambooni group, which is among four armed opposition groups
that merged to form Hisb al-Islam last year, has now
defected to Al-Shabab. The Hisb al-Islam leader said some of
those that have joined Al-Shabab had left their party some
time back.
"We want to shed some light on an issue in which some men in
Al-Shabab and others who claimed to be representatives of
Raas Kaambooni yesterday issued a statement in Baydhabo.
First of all, Muslims have an obligation to unite and I, the
leader of Hisb al-Islam, was personally among those that
have been pursuing the idea," said Aweys.
Aweys has said the movement for the Al-Shabab Mujahidin has
failed to honour agreements reached with Hisb al-Islam
earlier on in which both groups agreed not to persuade
fighters on either side to join the other.
"As for our Al-Shabab brothers, there was an issue we had
earlier on discussed in which we agreed not to rob each
other of people. We are very disappointed that our brothers
have decided to go against it," said Aweys.
The Hisb al-Islam leader also spoke on organized killings
targeting Hisb al-Islam leaders and fighting between his
group and the movement for the Al-Shabab Mujahidin in parts
of Jubba Regions [southern Somalia].
"As two groups that are engaged in the same operation, there
is a scuffle and that is to be expected. It is nothing more
than the ordinary. Individuals do switch between group, some
come here, others go there and it is not a big deal, it will
be resolved and we want to resolve it. The areas that have
been captured [from Hisb al-Islam] are of also no
consequence. Most of us share the same belief and are on the
same page on issues. This clumsiness will continue to exist
until we all unite. There will be clashes and all of this is
to be expected religious wise and we know what the solution
is. Some of the issues have been resolved and the rest will
be resolved soon God willing," said the Hisb al-Islam
leader.
Aweys also spoke on Hisb al-Islam's view of Al-Qai'dah's
operations in various countries across the world.
"Al-Qai'dah are Muslims who are angered by the international
fight against Muslims. They have waged a battle against it
and wherever it may lead to, they are still continuing. We
also continue with the fighting wherever it may lead to. If
Allah unites us as Muslims, then thank God," said the Hisb
al-Islam chairman.
The Hisb al-Islam leader also condemned recent statement by
the Spanish prime minister in which the official said a
United Nations force led by Spain be deployed in Somalia.
Aweys also condemned the African Union, IGAD
[Inter-Governmental Authority on Development] and the United
States of America and accused them all of being responsible
for the massacre and suffering that has been inflicted upon
the civilian population in Somalia.
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