Somalis march in Muqdisho against Shabaab

[Sherban Shabeel]

BBC NEWS

 

Hundreds of Somalis have marched through the streets of Mogadishu, protesting against al-Shabab militants.

The protesters, mostly women and children and wearing traditional white clothes, chanted slogans denouncing the al-Qaeda-inspired group.

The BBC's Mohammed Olad Hassan says this is only the second public demonstration against al-Shabab, which controls much of southern Somalia.

The protesters shouted their support for the UN-backed government.

Mohyadin Hassan Afrah, who helped organise the protest in one of Mogadishu's few government-controlled districts, says people were upset at a move by al-Shabab to destroy the tombs of revered Sufi clerics.

Al-Shabab follows the strict Saudi Arabian-inspired Wahhabi interpretation of Islam, rather than the Sufi Islam of many Somalis.

"We call for a holy war against them," said Sheikh Somow, from the Sufi Ahlu Sunnah Wal Jama group, which recently stuck a deal with the government.

Mr Afrah also said he was marching to protest at al-Shabab's use of foreign fighters.

Our reporter says fighters from Pakistan, Yemen and North Africa have travelled to Somalia to join al-Shabab.

Dozens of government troops watched the march and fired shots into the sky.

"We have been forced out of our houses because of the violence instigated by al-Shabab. We are here to support the government and make our voices against them heard," said one of the protesters, Hawo Abdulle Aden.

About half of Mogadishu's population have fled their homes.

The country has been torn by conflict since 1991.

[Sherban Shabeel]

We will never forget May '09. Shabaab, your time has come.

[General Duke]

^^^What happened in May 09?

[Sherban Shabeel]

A treasonous coup d'etat was attempted, which has led to a bloody continuation to the civil war which seemed to be over at that time.

[ANWAR]

GOOD DAY IN MOGADISHU

/Sawiro/Isu_soobax_Mudullood_6.JPG

[

[Khayr]

Sherbeen,

 

What's your stake in this? What is in it for a romanian young buck?

 

- Are you muslim? Are you part somali? Do just have itchy fingers?

 

-Are you missionary?

[Gheelle.T]

/Sawiro/Isu_soobax_Mudullood_6.JPG [/quotes]

 

 

Tolka gathering maad dhahdaan

[General Duke]

Originally posted by Sherban Shabeel:

A treasonous coup d'etat was attempted, which has led to a bloody continuation to the civil war which seemed to be over at that time.

You are having a laugh mate.

[FatB]

do i sence a change in the air... the somali shacab are finally getting tried of dogging bullets and taking to the streets

[Cowke]

Positive Development Good to see the mogadishu locals standing up to these thugs.

[Jacaylbaro]

Originally posted by Gheelle.T:

quote:/Sawiro/Isu_soobax_Mudullood_6.JPG

 

Tolka gathering maad dhahdaan

,,, Afsoomaaligiina ma sidaas baa u dambaysay

[Dhubad.]

^ War waa Shrib weeyaan waxa meesha ku qoran lol

[Kamaavi]

Waxan soo xasuustay sheekadii tusbaxa iyo tusbiih... ,,,,

[Jacaylbaro]

I wonder how many of them will be dead in the coming days ,,,, I'm sure Alshabab is looking at the pictures now ,,,

[Juje]

Originally posted by Jacaylbaro:

I wonder how many of them will be dead in the coming days ,,,, I'm sure Alshabab is looking at the pictures now ,,,

You are not only encouraging but reveling at the thought of that happening.