yahya007 Posted December 14, 2011 Al Jazeera's Nazanine Moshiri "twinterviews" the hardline fighters who want to replace the Somali government with an Islamic state. The group began tweeting on December 7 under the handle HSM Press Office - an acronym for Harakat al-Shabab al-Mujahideen, or Movement of Holy Warrior Youth. 1. Moshiri opens the conversation by linking al-Shabab to a blog post she wrote about the beginning of their Twitter campaign: 2. * * * Al-Shabab starts tweeting | Al Jazeera Blogs @HSMPress which stands for Harakat Al-Shabaab Al Mujahideen is not following anyone on Twitter, yet. In a week, however, it has accumulat... Aljazeera 3. * * * “ @HSMPress: This is my take on your tweeting. t.co/gig00SOl AJEMOSHIRI a day ago ReplyRetweet 4. Al-Shabab responds about an hour later... 5. * * * “ @nazaninemoshiri If #US has a virtual embassy in #Tehran, why can't HSM maintain a virtual presence to impart the reality of Somali warfare? HSM Press Office a day ago ReplyRetweet 6. ...then picks out a sentence from Moshiri's blog post for criticism: "I have been to Somalia many times. When I am there, I can barely get mobile phone reception and internet access is a luxury. If the group is indeed tweeting from the depths of Somalia, this shows how sophisticated an operation it must have developed." 7. * * * “ @nazaninemoshiri Your comment regarding lack of reception is open to dispute;Somali telecom industry is booming with millions of subscribers HSM Press Office a day ago ReplyRetweet 8. * * * “ @HSMPress True, but you have to be on same network as the person you are calling. When desk in Doha calls us, often can't get through. AJEMOSHIRI a day ago ReplyRetweet 9. * * * “ @nazaninemoshiri A little inconvenient, of course, but tele-density here in Somalia is 3X higher than that of some countries, like Ethiopia! HSM Press Office a day ago ReplyRetweet 10. Moshiri gets back to al-Shabab's opening tweet, which compared their Twitter efforts with the United States' "virtual embassy" in Iran: 11. * * * “ @HSMPress but unfortunately, the Somali war isn't virtual is it. People on both sides are being killed or injured. AJEMOSHIRI a day ago ReplyRetweet 12. * * * “ @nazaninemoshiri bloodshed is the predictable corollary of foreign intervention; its impact on geopolitical structure of the region is broad HSM Press Office a day ago ReplyRetweet 13. Moshiri pursues a few different lines of questioning, asking how al-Shabab views its coverage in the media and what it will take for them to lay down their arms: 14. * * * “ @HSMPress how do you view the way you are portrayed by the media? AJEMOSHIRI a day ago ReplyRetweet 15. * * * “ @nazaninemoshiri Most of it is propaganda masqueraded as objectivity, thus precluding the possibility of obtaining anything impartial HSM Press Office a day ago ReplyRetweet 16. * * * “ @HSMPress Do your views on Twitter represent the whole of your movement? Isn't Al Shabab fragmented, into different layers of leadership? AJEMOSHIRI a day ago ReplyRetweet 17. * * * “ @nazaninemoshiri Yes do & HSM is united unlike the crippled TFG militia. A fragmented org. couldn't possibly confront so many adversaries. HSM Press Office a day ago ReplyRetweet 18. * * * “ @HSMPress: what will it take for you to come to the negotiating table, and lay down your arms? AJEMOSHIRI a day ago ReplyRetweet 19. * * * “ @nazaninemoshiri How can one lay down his arms when his enemies are grinding their swords to terminate him. No to negotiations undr invasion HSM Press Office a day ago ReplyRetweet 20. Moshiri asks about the movement's overall goals, and al-Shabab responds indirectly, addressing a different person: 21. * * * “ @HSMPress Most ordinary Somalis want peace, and reconstruction, what message do you have for them? AJEMOSHIRI a day ago ReplyRetweet 22. * * * “ @HSMPress what are you fighting for? International Jihad? Or a peaceful united future for Somalis? AJEMOSHIRI a day ago ReplyRetweet 23. * * * “ @alykhansatchu To free our people from the ignominy of invasion &live according to the Laws of Shari'ah (Qur'an) It's our prerogative right! HSM Press Office a day ago ReplyRetweet 24. Finally, the exchange ends - at least for now - with an attempt at humour by al-Shabab, and Moshiri's pointed response: 25. * * * “ @nazaninemoshiri This must be #AlJazeera's innovative new approach to Twitter interviews. Should we call it Twinterview? HSM Press Office a day ago ReplyRetweet 26. * * * “ @HSMPress well it certainly isn't that easy or safe for me to come and interview you face to face is it? AJEMOSHIRI a day ago ReplyRetweet Other stories by ajelive on storify.com ➜ From To Send Embed code http://www.aljazeera.com/news/africa/2011/12/2011121316621833642.html Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
uchi Posted December 14, 2011 What the hell? Seriously is this guy on drugs? They are blowing up/killing children and pregnant women & he is talking about peace. Why did he even mention the US and Iran, ***** doesn't even have running water & he is talking about international issues. Bloody hell we are doomed. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jacaylbaro Posted December 14, 2011 This must be #AlJazeera's innovative new approach to Twitter interviews. Should we call it Twinterview? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Somalia Posted December 14, 2011 LOL, I think it is fake, it has to be. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
uchi Posted December 14, 2011 Nah I wouldn't be surprised if it's one of those many western educated youth who ran to the promised land to fight the infidels. No virgins in heaven for you buddy. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
