SOMALIA: Shabab spokesman says “we are part of AQAP”

By; Abdalle Ahmed

Mogadishu (RBC) Al-Shabab spokesman Sheikh Ali Mahamud Rage [Ali Dhere] has announced today that from today his fighters will be part of Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula “AQAP” which is a militant under Al-Qaeda Islamist organization, primarily active in Yemen and Saudi Arabia.

“You know Harakat Shabaul Mujahidin HSM in Somalia has joined directly to Al-Qaeda brothers which means we are part of them”, Ali Dhere said after he addressed a rally organized by Al-Shabab in Elasha biyaha on Monday.

He added that the religion ordained Muslims to join together in their issues for the sake of brotherhood.

“We will work with other brothers of AQAP in Yemen, Saudi Arabia and elsewhere in the world and we are part of them”, he added “We are the branch of AQAP in Somalia”.

The spokesman mentioned that Al-Shabab officials took sensational decision after they united with Al-Qaeda because of the great danger that Al-Qaeda is facing today. But he insisted they will continue to be part of Al-Qaeda.

“We will not hesitate to continue our sympathy and unity with Jihadi brothers in this globe. You know all kufars [non Muslim] countries united to fight Islam” he said.

Hundred of Al-Shabab supporters and residents in Elasha biyaha gathered to watch a rally organized by Al-Shabab which they said “the excitement of Al-Shabab and Al-Qaeda joining”.

Similar demonstrations were held in Afgoi, Merka and Lafole districts whereby other Al-Shabab officials addressed and called for resistance against Somalia government and AMISOM forces on Mogadishu.

On Thursday Feb. 9 Al-Shabab leader Ahmed Godane [known as Abu Zuber] announced that his fighters directly merged into Al-Qaeda group.  Al-Shabab radio broadcasted recorded voices of Al-Qaeda leader Dr. Eyman Dawahiri saying that they accepted Al-Shabab’s joining into them.

RBC Radio