Hiiraan Online
Monday, June 23, 2008
Mogadishu, Somalia (HOL) - A senior Al-Qaeda officern has called upon the forces that are opposed to the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) and the presence of Ethiopian troops in Somalia to continue their struggle until Ethiopian troops withdraw from Somalia and an Islamic government is set up in Somalia.
“Do not accept anything less than the implementation of independent Islamic government in Somalia and do not recognize the legitimacy of international rules”, said Abu Yahya Al-Libi.
Mr. Al-Libi is one of the leaders of Al-Qaeda and has made these statements via a recording at a website known for its support of the Al-Qaeda organization. Mr. Al-Libi praised Islamic scholars who have opposed the recent peace agreement in Djibouti between the TFG and the opposition Alliance for the Re-liberation of Somalia (ARS). Among the articles in the agreement is a conditional withdrawal of Ethiopian troops from Somalia within 120 days as well as an immediate ceasefire.
“Replacing Ethiopian troops in Somalia with UN troops or AU troops or whatever name is given to such troops will not change the current situation in Somalia”, said Mr. Al-Libi.
Several prominent Islamic leaders in Somalia such as Sheik Hasan Dahir Aweis, Shiek Hasan Abdullahi Hersi (Sheik Turki) and Sheik Yusuf Mohamed Siyad Indhacade have opposed the recent peace agreement in Djibouti and said that the agreement will not solve the problems in the country.
Since the beginning of 2007, Islamic forces in Somalia have been waging deadly guerrilla war against TFG of Somalia and Ethiopian troops. Their guerrilla war resembles in many ways the current guerrilla war Iraqi insurgents are waging against US forces in Iraq.