The Associated Press
Monday, March 05, 2012
Analysts say that the fight against Somalia’s al-Qaida linked
insurgency may be moving into the north of the country, an area
previously considered safer than the war-ravaged south.
The move could mean that the al-Shabab militia is seeking to
regroup in the semiautonomous region of Puntland after coming under
heavy pressure from three foreign armies in southern Somalia.
Abdullahi Halakhe, a Horn of Africa analyst at the International
Crisis Group, says al-Shabab has been weakened by famine in its
strongholds, pressure from foreign armies and internal divisions.
At least 13 people died over the weekend in clashes between an al-Shabab affiliated militia and Puntland security forces.
Last week a Puntland militia announced a merger with al-Shabab.