Al-Qaida to make “changes” in Alshabab leadership
Mogadishu (Alshahid)- Top Al-Qaida leadership is expected to make changes in the ranks of Alshabab, their proxy group in East Africa, in order to terminate a long continued misunderstanding between the two top Alshabab officials in Somalia, sources allied to one of the feuding Alshabab camps told Alshahid News Friday.
The leader of Alshabab, Ahmed Godane and his deputy Mukhtaar Roobow Ali (Abu Mansuur) have had simmering disputes over how to manage the attacks carried out by Alshabab militants since the beginning of the Holy Month of Ramadhan (Mid August) this year.
Al-Qaeda receives separate reports and recommendations on the situation in Somalia and arising needs for the militants from the two wrangling Alshabab leaders.
Al-Qaeda leaders, Osama Bin Laden and Ayman Alzawaahiri are expected to take a swift action on the crises facing Alshabab leadership to save the group from breaking into factions.
Somalia affairs analysts close to the ongoings suggest that Al-Qaeda leadership will favour Ahmed Godane camp because Godane and Ibrahim Hagi Jaama’ (Abubakar Al-Zayli’) are the most favoured Al-Qaeda trained men in Somalia.
Another opinion has it that Al-Qaeda leadership is considering this time to side with Mukhtaar Roboow and his camp as they constitute the largest force that controls South and Central Somalia.
In an apparent “pleasing act” for Al-Qaeda leadership, Mukhtaar Roobow alongside with Alshabab officials from Southern Somalia among them, Alshabab spokesman, Ali Dheere, on Thursday attended a military parade in Mogadishu for hundreds of newly trained Alshabab “Commandos” named after Mustafa Abu Yazeed, the third most senior man in Al-Qaeda who was killed by an American launched missile in Afghanistan last month.
Roobow, gave a long speech during the parading session in which he emphasized on the enmity between USA and the Muslims.
“If the missile launched by the Americans killed Sheikh Yazeed, here are his students (Yazeed’s students) who are ready to die for their religion.” Mukhtaar Roobow said.
The newly trained militias are said to be “reserve” in the Mogadishu war between Alshabab on one side and the TFG and AMISOM on the other.
The impasse and disorganization within Alshabab top officials was evident in the recent fights where the group was involved in some parts of the country.
On 21st October, Alshabab militias were humiliated as they tried to recapture Balad Hawa town of Gedo region in Southern Somalia from militias led by former warlord and a member of Somalia’s parliament, Barre Adan Shire (Hiiraale), a thing that was unimaginable months ago.
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Salim