AMISOM: Foreign fighters, al-Shabaab fleeing Somalia

March 02, 2012

  • 2 comments
  • Print
  • Reset Decrease Increase

The commander of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) said on Thursday (March 1st) that foreign fighters and members of al-Shabaab are fleeing Somalia, Somalia's Shabelle Media Network reported.

Hundreds of al-Qaeda commanders fighting alongside al-Shabaab are escaping in order to avoid military operations by Somali government forces and AMISOM peacekeepers, said Maj. Gen. Fred Mugisha.

The commander said the forces are being careful to avoid civilian casualties in Elasha Biyaha, a camp for internally displaced people outside Mogadishu, as AMISOM and government forces expand their campaign. "We are very cautious about any civilian casualties during our attacks against the militant-held areas in Somalia," Mugisha said.

What do you think of this article? (TOTAL VOTES: 6)

Dislike_icon(0)

(Comment Policy) *Denotes Required Field

Reader's Comments

  • Safi
    March 3, 2012 @ 09:42:43PM

    The African Union has set up an army to bring stability and unity to Somalia. This army has the role of cultivating equality and communication in order to foster an acceptable political, security and economic situation in Somalia. Unfortunately, the Al-Shabaab and Al-Qaeda terrorist groups are interfering with this army’s good work. The objective of this army is to create communication channels and reconciliation among all Somali patriots and to maintain peace in a number of Somalia’s territories. Ultimately, they would like to turn Somalia into a peaceful and arable place for all citizens. In addition, this army has the role of giving technical aid, and it is confiscating weapons from all insurgent armies in that country thereby establishing security. The African Union Army is very much loved by ordinary Somali citizens because they give free aid (for example giving out-patient and in-patient care, and providing clean water to citizens). What is disappointing to the United States Government is the rate at which the number of ordinary citizens affected by the military operation mounted by the African Union army keeps rising.

  • عبد الرحمن الناتي
    March 3, 2012 @ 09:23:18AM

    As for al-Shabab goes, God willing, they will not have any support in Somalia from the local population. You despicable terrorists! Your constant attempts to affect the Somali people and surroundings for al-Qaeda and other terrorist groups, you will fail at the end. Every time, Somali people will prove that, they are the opposite of your ideology. They think that they will have a place in Somalia, affect the people and make them followers of Satan and forces of destruction, bombings and random killings of innocents. You are the enemy of peaceful religion Islam.Whoever follows you in your destructive path, they are enemy of Islam as well,does not matter if he/she is Somali or some place else.

Latest News

In the Spotlight

Subscribe

Poll

Do you think Tanzania's ban on religious hate speech will stop attacks against churches and mosques?

View results