Al-Shabaab leaders Friday took advantage of Eid-el-Fitr prayers to urge more Somalis to join jihad (holy war) against forces protecting the federal government in Mogadishu. Accompanied by their heavily armed lieutenants, the militants said their push for an Islamic state would not be stopped by African Union Mission in Somalia (Amisom) troops. Sheikh Fu’ad Mohamed Khalaf alias Shongole, a senior leader within Al-Shabaab ranks, joined hundreds of faithful for the prayers to mark end of the holy month of Ramadhan at the coastal town of Barawe. Shongole, who is wanted by the US sponsoring and spreading terror in Somalia and beyond, called on islamists to maintain unity. Last year, the US State Department offered a $5 million reward for information leading to his capture and conviction.
Posted on: Fri, 09 Aug 2013 21:50:54 +0000