The radical Islamists Somali group Hisbul Islam has joined an Al-Qaeda inspired group Al shabaab that is fighting against the western backed Somalia’s transitional federal government and its ally the AU peacekeeping force in Mogadishu.
The leaders of Hisbul Islam included its top chairman Sheikh Hassan Dahir Aweys and Al shabaab leaders have held a unity ceremony to to declare their merger on Sunday evening.
The group’s leaders met in Elesha-Biyaha district 15 kilometers south of the capital of Mogadishu.
Nonetheless tension had already been building between Al shabaab fighters and Hisbul Islam militia for more than a year after Al shabaab began war against Hisbul Islam. Al shabaab which is believed to have ties with Al-Qaeda has forcefully decided to increase its control over Hisbul Islam areas.
By Mohamed Odowa
Horseed Media
SOMALIA: Hisbul Islam joins with Al-Shabaab group
Published: December 19, 2010
