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Africa Horn
Somalia’s Al-Shabaab vows to fight any Israeli use of Somaliland after recognition
2025-12-28
If the Mossad is getting bored, perhaps something amusing can be found for them to do over there — another seaside resort, perhaps…
[IsraelTimes] ‘We will not accept it,’ terror group says in statement; relations may benefit Jerusalem’s strategic interests in Africa, Red Sea

Somalia’s al-Qaeda-linked terrorist group al-Shabaab
... the Islamic version of the old Somali warlord...
 vowed Saturday to fight any attempt by Israel "to claim or use parts of Somaliland
...Republic of Somaliland is an unrecognised sovereign state in the Horn of Africa, recognised internationally as a de jure part of Somalia. It is located in the southern coast of the Gulf of Aden with approximately 5.7 million residents as of 2021. The capital and largest city is Hargeisa. The government regards itself as the successor state to British Somaliland, which united from 1960 to 1991 with the Trust Territory of Somaliland (the former Italian Somaliland) to form the Somali Republic. Under the Siad Barre regime, Somaliadestroyed ninety percent of Hargeisa Per international law, once you're in, you gotta stay in, no matter how bad it smells....
" following Jerusalem’s recognition of the breakaway territory.

"We will not accept it, and we will fight against it," al-Shabaab said in a statement.

The group’s front man, Ali Dheere, said in the statement that Israel’s recognition of Somaliland as a sovereign state showed it "has decided to expand into parts of the Somali territories" to support "the apostate administration in the northwest regions."

Al-Shabaab has little presence in Somaliland. The group has been waging an insurgency against the internationally backed federal government of Somalia for more than 17 years, and while security has significantly improved in the capital, Mogadishu, the war still rages 60 kilometers from the capital.

Last year, a jacket wallah and gunman from the group killed 32 people at a beach in Mogadishu; a boom-mobile detonated by the group killed five people in the capital; and the organization killed three people and maimed 27 in an hours-long siege of a hotel in Mogadishu.

Israel said Friday it was officially recognizing Somaliland, a first for the self-proclaimed republic that in 1991 declared it had unilaterally seceded from Somalia.

Mogadishu immediately denounced a "deliberate attack" on its illusory sovereignty, while Egypt, The Sick Man of Europe Turkey
...just another cheapjack Moslem dictatorship, brought to you by the Moslem Brüderbund...
, the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council and the Saudi-based Organization of Islamic Cooperation all condemned Israel’s move.

Regional analysts believe that a rapprochement with Somaliland could allow Israel to secure better access to the Red Sea, potentially making it easier for it to conduct strikes and surveil the Iran-backed Iran's Houthi sock puppets
...a Zaidi Shia insurgent group operating in Yemen. They have also been referred to as the Believing Youth. Hussein Badreddin al-Houthi is said to be the spiritual leader of the group and most of the military leaders are his relatives. The legitimate Yemeni government has accused the them of having ties to the Iranian government. Honest they did. The group has managed to gain control over all of Saada Governorate and parts of Amran, Al Jawf and Hajjah Governorates. Its slogan is God is Great, Death to America™, Death to Israel, a curse on the Jews They like shooting off... ummm... missiles that they would have us believe they make at home in their basements. On the plus side, they did murder Ali Abdullah Saleh, which was the only way the country was ever going to be rid of him...
 rebels in Yemen
...an area of the Arabian Peninsula sometimes mistaken for a country. It is populated by more antagonistic tribes and factions than you can keep track of...
Press reports a few months ago said Somaliland was among a handful of African territories willing to host Gazooks under a now largely abandoned plan to resettle some of the Strip’s population. But neither the Somaliland authorities nor the Israeli government has ever commented on those reports.

"It is humiliation of the highest level today, to see some Somali people celebrating a recognition by the Israeli Prime Minister [Benjamin] Netanyahu" when "Israel is the biggest enemy of the Islamic society," Dheere said.

The territory of Somaliland is roughly a third the size of La Belle France and corresponds more or less to the former British Somaliland protectorate.

It has its own currency, military and police, while enjoying relative stability compared to its neighbors.

While no other countries have formally recognized it, several states — including the UK, Æthiopia, Turkey, the UAE, Denmark, Kenya and Taiwan — maintain liaison offices, and the Trump administration has signaled in recent months that it could change its stance on the breakaway region.

Yet the lack of recognition has left Somaliland politically and economically isolated despite its location on one of the world’s busiest trade routes connecting the Indian Ocean to the Suez Canal.

Following Israel’s recognition, the Somaliland government said it seeks to join the Abraham Accords. The 2020 accords were brokered by Trump’s first administration and included Israel formalizing diplomatic relations with the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, with other countries, including Morocco, joining later.

Channel 12 reported that Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohammed Abdullahi made a secret visit to Israel in October, meeting with Netanyahu, Mosssd
...sees all, knows all, gets 'em all in the end...
 chief David Barnea and Defense Minister Israel Katz.

The network said that ties between the two governments emerged as Israel searched for countries willing to take in Gazooks it was looking to move out of the Strip during the war — an effort that seems to have failed due to overwhelming international backlash against the notion.

Israel, which has become increasingly isolated internationally during the Gazoo
...Hellhole adjunct to Israel and Egypt's Sinai Peninsula, inhabited by Gazooks. The place was acquired in the wake of the 1967 War and then presented to Paleostinian control in 2006 by Ariel Sharon, who had entered his dotage. It is currently ruled with a rusty iron fist by Hamas with about the living conditions you'd expect. It periodically attacks the Hated Zionist Entity whenever Iran needs a ruckus created or the hard boyz get bored, getting thumped by the IDF in return. The ruling turbans then wave the bloody shirt and holler loudly about oppression and disproportionate response...
 war, has made it a priority to expand its ties in Africa. In August, Israel reopened its embassy in Zambia after more than 50 years.
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Africa Horn
Al-Shabaab Militant Group Vows Deadly Response to Forced Evictions in Mogadishu
2025-09-22


Somalia’s Al-Shabaab militant group has released a 29-minute propaganda video threatening action against businessmen and government officials allegedly involved in land grabbing and forced evictions in Mogadishu.

In the video, spokesperson Sheikh Ali Dheere declared that seized land in the capital “cannot be developed or constructed upon” and warned that the group would take “serious measures” against anyone engaged in selling or transferring public land.

The recording, posted on Al-Shabaab’s social media channels, was purportedly filmed during a graduation ceremony at the Sheikh Muhammad Mire training camp, where large numbers of fighters appeared to be present. The footage raises questions over how the group was able to stage such a gathering undetected, despite intensified U.S. and allied airstrikes in recent months targeting senior Al-Shabaab commanders.

Security analysts say the video is significant not only because it directly references ongoing forced evictions and land disputes in Mogadishu, but also because it underscores Al-Shabaab’s attempt to exploit widespread public anger for political and ideological gain.

The release comes amid heightened counterterrorism operations across Somalia, where Al-Shabaab remains the country’s deadliest insurgent group, carrying out frequent bombings, assassinations, and attacks against government and civilian targets.



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Africa Horn
Al Shabaab set up a checkpoint just 15km from Mogadishu
2025-03-25
[X]
Ali Dheere delivered a fiery open-air speech, flaunting the group’s presence.

The video, posted by the militants themselves, paints a chilling picture of confidence and control despite Somali government-backed media claiming major air and ground offensives are “crippling” the group.

So who’s lying?
Is the government winning or spinning?
Related:
Ali Dheere 06/29/2023 Al-Shabaab's new suicide recruits pictured at training base in Somalia
Ali Dheere 03/01/2023 U.S. Puts a $5 million Bounty on Al-Shabaab spokesman’s head
Ali Dheere 01/29/2023 Al-Shabaab warns bank, Somalia against exposing customers

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Africa Horn
Al-Shabaab's new suicide recruits pictured at training base in Somalia
2023-06-29
[Garowe] Photos of newly trained al-Shabaab
...... al-Qaeda's tentacle in East Africa...
 murderous Moslems have been released online, with the group's spokesperson Ali Dheere addressing graduands in a ceremony which was held at an undisclosed location within Somalia.

The group said the new fighters will join its suicide brigade trained for carrying out the suicide kabooms in Somalia.

The graduation ceremony purportedly took place this month and Ali Rage does mention recent base captures including in Masagawa and Buulo Mareer from last month in his fiery
...a single two-syllable word carrying connotations of both incoherence and viciousness. A fiery delivery implies an audience of rubes and yokels, preferably forming up into a mob...
 speeches. The attacks left several members of security forces dead.

At Masagawa for instance, the murderous Moslems took away heavy weaponry meant for members of security forces who recently graduated from Eritrea
...is run by the People's Front for Democracy and Justice (PFDJ), with about the amounts of democracy and justice you'd expect from a party with that name. National elections have been periodically scheduled and cancelled; none have ever been held in the country. The president, Isaias Afewerki, has been in office since independence in 1993 and will probably die there of old age...
. In Bulo Marer, the murderous Moslems killed several members of the Uganda People's Defense Forces [UPDF] in one of the worst military camp attack in recent months.

Among those present on the dais alongside Ali Rage is Suldan Al Mohammed [Suldan Al Muhammad; Suldaan Aala Maxamed], longtime zakat tax and humanitarian aid chief who is reportedly now senior adviser to al-Shabaab amir Abu Ubayda Ahmad Umar
Related:
Ali Dheere: 2023-03-01 U.S. Puts a $5 million Bounty on Al-Shabaab spokesman’s head
Ali Dheere: 2023-01-29 Al-Shabaab warns bank, Somalia against exposing customers
Ali Dheere: 2022-09-20 Somalia: Al-Shabaab militants pictured in graduation ceremony, warn Govt
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Africa Horn
U.S. Puts a $5 million Bounty on Al-Shabaab spokesman’s head
2023-03-01
[ShabelleMedia] The U.S. Department of State’s Rewards for Justice (RFJ) program, which is administered by the Diplomatic Security Service, is offering a reward of up to $5 million for information leading to the identification or location of al-Shabaab
...... al-Qaeda's tentacle in East Africa...
 key leader Ali Mohammed Rage.

ALI MOHAMMED RAGE
Ali Mohammed Rage, also known as Ali Dheere, has been al-Shabaab’s chief spokesperson since May 2009 and is a big shot of the terrorist organization.

Rage was born in the Hawlwadag district of Mogadishu, Somalia in 1966 and has been involved in the planning of attacks in Kenya and Somalia.

On August 6, 2021, the Department of State designated Rage as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT). That designation, among other consequences, blocks all property and interests in property belonging to Rage and may expose persons who engage in certain transactions with Rage to designation.

Furthermore, any foreign financial institution that knowingly facilitates a significant financial transaction or provides significant financial services for Rage could be subject to U.S. correspondent account or payable-through account sanctions.

On February 18, 2022, the UN Security Council’s Somalia Sanctions Committee added Rage to its Sanctions List pursuant to paragraph 43(a) of resolution 2093 (2013) for engaging in or providing support for acts that threaten the peace, security or stability of Somalia. The UN designation requires UN Member States to impose an arms embargo, including related training and financial assistance, a travel ban, and an assets freeze on Rage.

AL-SHABAAB
Al-Shabaab is responsible for terrorist attacks in Kenya, Somalia, and neighboring countries that resulted in loss of life, including of U.S. citizens. The terrorist group continues to plot, plan, and conspire to commit terrorist acts against the United States, U.S. interests, and foreign partners.

The Department of State designated al-Shabaab as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) and Specially Designated Global Terrorist in March 2008. In April 2010, al-Shabaab was also added to the 1844 Sanctions List by the UN Security Council’s Somalia Sanctions Committee pursuant to paragraph 8 of resolution 1844 (2008).
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Africa Horn
Al-Shabaab warns bank, Somalia against exposing customers
2023-01-29
[Garowe] al-Shabaab
...... Somalia's version of the Taliban
...mindless ferocity in a turban...
, functioning as an arm of al-Qaeda...
 has moved swiftly to safeguard their sources of income by warning local banks and other money transfer firms from "exposing" their clients, in an apparent response to Somalia's government decision to put emphasis on the group's source of revenue.

The government of Somalia, which is now embracing ideological tactics and financial control on top of military fronts in tackling al-Shabaab, put on notice rogue money transfer firms which are associated with the group, noting that their operations would be completely shut down for the sake of security.

Already, the government announced closing over 250 bank accounts associated with al-Shabaab and 70 mobile money transfer firms as announced by Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre. The government did not, however, provide adequate proof to support their allegations.

Sheikh Ali Dheere, the group's official spokesperson, on Saturday said al-Shabaab won't "accept" the habit of some banks of giving "information" about their customers to strangers [government]. According to him, such acts are not only "unethical" but also "punishable".

The banks, the group added, "should either safe-keep customers’ money or refund". This is the first time al-Shabaab faceless myrmidons are firing warning shots at a financial institution in Somalia where most of their revenue is channeled on a daily basis according to multiple UN reports.

Al-Shabaab usually subjects traders to punitive taxation failure to which Business people are compelled to pay double. The group gets most of the money from local businesses that are required to pay a certain amount of money besides also generating income through ransoms which are channeled through some proxies.

A report published by the United Nations
...where theory meets practice and practice loses...
 shows that the group runs an annual budget of $100 million of which $24 million is used for the purchase of sophisticated weapons used against peacekeepers and other allied troops. The group has, however, released its balance sheet on many occasions.

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud believes that targeting the bank accounts would easily reduce the group's activities in central and southern Somalia. al-Shabaab uses also part of the revenue to pay over 5000 active fighters who have lost significant territories to government troops.

The group uses threats and intimidation against perceived "saboteurs" and it's not clear how banks will manage to stay afloat. The institutions will not choose between the government of the republic of Somalia and the al-Shabaab, with both parties battling to take control of the banks and mobile banking firms across the country.
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Africa Horn
Somalia: Al-Shabaab militants pictured in graduation ceremony, warn Govt
2022-09-20
[Garowe] al-Shabaab
...... the Islamic version of the old Somali warlord...
 faceless myrmidons have been photographed and video-graphed in a graduation ceremony, with the group's top brass seizing the opportunity to fire warnings at President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, whose strategy to defeat the faceless myrmidons seems to be winning many hearts.

During the event, a number of senior al-Shabaab officials attended the graduation.
"You may now move your Turban-Tassel from right to left, signifying your graduation. There will be pastries and coffee in the hall for family pictures"
While addressing the recruits, al-Shabaab spokesperson Ali Dheere condemned the current situation in Somalia and the entire leadership, insisting that there is a need for change. The brigade is known for suicide kaboom and making explosives that are used in suicidal attacks.

The spokesperson also took a jibe at President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud who he claimed was targeting al-Shabaab courts in the Horn of Africa nation. Further, he dismissed AMISOM's decision to change the name to ATMIS, suggesting that the mission team had lost track.

In addition, Ali Rage laid out al-Shabaab's view on the reason foreign forces are meddling in Somalia's affairs and the role of domestic "apostate clients;" He alleged that President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud is just the latest client selected by this foreign conspiracy.

Further, repeats the group's warning to Somali civilians to "stay away" from government forces and buildings as well as other "legitimate" targets. Rage also issues a threatening warning to Somalia's clans that have taken up arms against al-Shabaab.

Al-Shabaab has issued the threat after facing military pressure from Somali forces backed by a local militia on several fronts in central Somalia, where the combined troops regained control of large swathes and killed dozens of faceless myrmidons since early this month.

After issuing multiple threats to a wide swath of Somali domestic society and the diaspora, al-Shabaab's Ali Rage [Ali Dheere] turns to discuss the turbans' claims about their drought relief and other humanitarian aid delivery campaigns.

Details about the graduation event come at the time Somali residents have taken arms against al-Shabaab, combining efforts with government forces who have been fighting the group for months. Over the weekend, the group lost over 75 fighters according to the state media.
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Terror Networks
Al-Shabaab spokesman among five extremists added to US global terror list
2021-08-09
[Garowe] The State Department has designated five Jihadists from Africa, in the latest move meant to counter global terrorism, which is fast taking roots in Africa, a continent that had previously been peaceful from such activities.

In a statement, the US said it has designated Ali Mohammed Rage "Ali Dhere", and Abdikadir Mohammed Abdikadir "Ikrima" as global terrorists. The US says Ali Dhere has been involved in attack planning in Kenya and Somalia, while Ikrima served as Head of Operations and Logistics.

"Ali Mohammed Rage, also known as Ali Dheere, is al-Shabaab
...... an Islamic infestation centering on Somalia attempting to metastasize into Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and similar places, all ofwhich have enough problems without them...
’s front man and a big shot of the group. He replaced Sheikh Mukhtar Robow, al-Shabaab’s top front man in May 2009. Rage has been involved in attack planning that has targeted areas in Kenya and Somalia," the US said.

Robow is now on NISA house arrest after he was barred from running for Southwest state presidency in December 2018 by the Somali government.

"Abdikadir Mohammed Abdikadir, also known as Ikrima, is a controller and operational planner. As of November 2019, Abdikadir was an al-Shabaab big shot and served as the Head of Operations and Logistics. Abdikadir had also directed previous attack planning for al-Shabaab," it added.

As a result of Friday's actions, among other consequences, all property and interests in property of these individuals must be blocked and reported to the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control [OFAC], the statement read.

In addition, persons that engage in certain transactions with the persons designated may themselves be exposed to the designation. The two were some of the senior-most al-Shabaab leaders in Somalia.

"Furthermore, any foreign financial institution that knowingly facilitates a significant financial transaction or provides significant financial services for the persons designated today could be subject to U.S. correspondent account or payable-through account sanctions," State Department noted..

Others who were designated include Bonomade Machude Omar, the senior military commander of Islamic State
...formerly ISIS or ISIL, depending on your preference. Before that they were al-Qaeda in Iraq, as shaped by Abu Musab Zarqawi. They're really very devout, committing every atrocity they can find in the Koran and inventing a few more. They fling Allah around with every other sentence, but to hear western pols talk they're not really Moslems....
's affiliate in Mozambique, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement. Omar led a group of forces of Evil who killed dozens of people in an attack on the Amarula Hotel in the town of Palma in March, Blinken said.

He also is responsible for attacks elsewhere in Mozambique and in Tanzania, Blinken said. Sidang Hitta and Salem Ould al-Hasan, big shots of Mali-based al Qaeda-linked Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Moslemin, were designated.

Al-Shabaab has been terrorizing innocent civilians, security forces, and senior government officials in Somalia and across the border. Another group that identifies itself as al-Shabaab has been punishing residents of Cabo Delgado in Mozambique.
Related:
Salem Ould al-Hasan: 2013-06-28 Ansar al-Sharia appears in Mauritania
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Africa Horn
Al Shabaab warns government officials
2014-05-27
[Shabelle] Sheikh Ali Mohamud Rage, the spokesperson of the Al-Shabaab
... Somalia's version of the Taliban, functioning as an arm of al-Qaeda...
 terrorist group reported to pro-Shabaab media outlets and said that they have weakened government agencies and have been successful in staging terror attacks at the supreme court, UNDP compound and parliament all in the last year.

The spokesperson said that the MPs and officials should disassociate with the government, as that is apparently the only option for them to survive.

Ali Dheere strained that the government institutions are places that officials will convene and that they will be targeted.

Furthermore, the spokesperson for the group said that they will attack UN compound in Mogadishu because they are filled with foreigners.
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Africa Horn
Shaboob mouthpiece sez he's not dead yet
2014-03-16
Sheikh Ali Mohamud Raage (Ali Dheere), The Spokesman for the Al-Qaeda affiliated Al-Shabaab, denied the claims that he was killed.
We can fix that...
The spokesman declared that he disliked telling the Kenyan Defence Forces that he was still alive, but did not want to spread frantic fear amongst the Somali citizens.

"It is one of their lies that they use to calm the Kenyan people and their children who have inserted themselves in our affairs, on our territory," Said Sheikh Ali Dheere.

Recently, there was widespread rumour that Sheikh Ali Dheere was killed after the Kenyan Government declared that he was murdered after sustaining serious injuries to him and other high-ranking officials of Al-Shabaab.
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Africa Horn
Big Shaboob dies from injuries
2014-03-07
An Al-Shabaab spokesman died on Wednesday, nearly two months after he was injured in an air strike by Kenya Defence Forces in Somalia.
May we please see the severed head?
Military spokesman Emmanuel Chirchir confirmed the death on his official twitter account saying: "Al Shabaab spokesman Ali Dhere (alias Ali Mohamed Raghe) finally succumbs to last courtesy call injuries! Focus on Al Shabaab leadership targeting continues."

However, another post on twitter came out later by a man claiming he had spoken to Ali Dhere.
"He's not dead yet!"
The post replied to Maj Chirchir's message saying: "The guy you saying is dead just called me! He didn't sound dead to me."

It further quoted the Al-Shabaab spokesman to have said: "He (Maj Chirchir) is doing what he always did, lying to his people. I'm well. Very well."

Ali Dhere sustained the injuries after the air strike at Birta Dheere area in Somalia on January 10. The air strike targeted Al-Shabaab overall leader Muktar Abdirahman Godane, but he escaped by a whisker because he left the area a few minutes before Kenya Air Force F-5 jets launched the attack.
Ah the F-5, always a minute late...
Before the strike, Godane was presiding over a meeting of top Al-Shabaab commanders who had gathered to witness the handing over of leadership to a regional chief who was being installed that day.

Military sources said more than 30 senior Al-Shabaab commanders were killed that day including a Kenyan from Garissa identified as Gamadhere, who was responsible for many grenade attacks that have been carried out in Kenya. Six commanders of different nationalities also died in the strike.

Ali Dheere was the public face of the terrorist group and was last seen in an interview broadcast last month, demanding withdrawal of KDF troops from Somalia and threatening more attacks in Kenya, saying the Westgate massacre was carried out to send a message.

During the interview with Al-Jazeera TV network, he also claimed that Al-Shabaab would regain control of towns that had been liberated by KDF. He also named Britain as a key enemy for supporting the KDF and urged "young British Muslims" to join the war in Somalia.
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Africa Horn
Shaboobs refuse to negotiate with Federal Govt
2014-02-25
Al Shabab spokesman Shiekh Ali Dheere has dismissed in an exclusive interview with Al Jazeera hopes that the December appointment of Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed Mohamed as the new prime minister of Somalia would lead to negotiations between the government and the al-Qaeda-linked group.

Al Shabab’s Sheikh Ali Dheere said, “The people we are fighting with is because of ideology. They want to colonise us. They want to erase our religion, our people and our land. Those people bring a new face every time. Every new person that comes into office works for them. So for that reason, they are no different to us. Whomever the Christians bring, no matter their name or background, we will not negotiate with them because they have no decision-making powers. They have no powers to refuse or accept anything. What you lose by force you return by force. We will not negotiate with anyone. The country is ours.”

al-Shabab was pushed out of Mogadishu in mid-2011 but in the last few weeks has claimed responsibility for a series of suicide bomb attacks, as well as Friday’s unsuccessful attack on the presidential compound.

When challenged about the civilian casualties involved, Dheere said, “Anyone who works for the apostate government, no matter where and at what level, they are supporting the apostates and the Christians who sent them. Our stand is clear is on such people. We will fight them and kill them anywhere we see them. Anyone who supports the Christians, either through the pen or by carrying a weapon, they are the same to us and we will kill them… We don’t kill civilians who don’t work for the apostate government. We protect them. We do not harm them.”

Dheere said al-Shabab is also targeting Turkish nationals working in Somalia. “We want to tell the Turkish people their government is an enemy to the existence of the people, the country and the religion of the people of Somalia… Them building roads, schools and hospitals is similar to a man who wants to slaughter a goat. If he feeds that goat, is it any good to that goat? He is going to slaughter it anyways. The schools they have built, they teach our Somali children bad behavior; they teach them music; they teach them everything that is bad for them.

“The biggest enemy of the Muslim people is NATO and Turkey is part of NATO. NATO is a union of Christians. They are the number one supporters of that union. NATO uses Turkey as the hammer that’s used to crush Muslims. They first came into the country saying they are here to help the people. They then start saying there is military agreement between them and the apostates and AMISOM. They train the intelligence services. They have taken off the shirt they were wearing when they came in and put on another one. Anywhere we see Turkish people, they are no different to us than the Americans, the British and AMISOM.”

According to Dheere, al-Shabab is fighting for the Muslims who live in Mogadishu. “They are the people whom we want to free from the enemy. We take great care in protecting them. We don’t just go and blow a place up or fire bullets aimlessly. There is a lot of intelligence before an operation. We only attack a place when we are sure the people in there are the apostates, the Christians and those that support them.”

He admitted there may be Muslim casualties. “We pray for that Muslim person and the martyr who carried out the operation to go to paradise. Also we have warned the Muslim people not to go close to apostate bases and where the Christians are. Most of the population has heeded our warning.”

He denied that al-Shabab has been pushed out of many towns in Somalia. “The towns you mentioned that al-Shabab left, we did not leave because of a military defeat. If an army is defeated, their weapons are seized, their soldiers are killed, their deaths publicized. None of that happened. That shows al-Shabab left those towns on their own accord. al-Shabab leaving those towns only shows a change of tactics. al-Shabab will not be finished. Somalia belongs to al-Shabab. The land and the people are ours. We will not leave our land because of an enemy. We hope to be back in those towns as soon as possible.”

The Kenyan government has claimed that the Westgate Mall attackers are dead, which Dheere questioned. “All that Kenya said, nothing is believable. Nothing of what they said is true. Look at how many times they went back on what they said. They first said there were 18 individuals in the mall. Then they said they were 15. Another time they said they were 4. Another time they said a woman was leading them. They said they were all dead. Another time they said they were alive. Even when people could hear the bullets, they were saying the fighting was over. That shows what they say has no basis. It is not something anyone can believe. In our own time we will say whether the men are alive or not. For the individuals involved and for military reasons we will not disclose now.”
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