Author:
Publication: Garoweonline.com
Date: February 7, 2010
URL: http://www.garoweonline.com/artman2/publish/Somalia_27/Somalia_Al-Shabaab_declares_jihad_on_Kenya.shtml
The Islamic administration of Al-Shabaab that
controls Somalia's southern regions of Jubba has on Sunday declared holy war
on Kenya over reports that Nairobi is training Somali troops.
Sheikh Hussen Abdi Gedi, Al-Shabaab's second in command in the southern port
city of Kismayo said his group has received reports of planned offensives
from the Kenyan side, urging the regions' residents to prepare for holy war.
"Kenya has prepared troops that comprise of Kenyans and Somalis, who
are trained to attack and take over the regions. They are planning to attack
us on the land, sea and air. We are urging people to be ready and defend our
land," he told Al-Shabaab's Andalus radio on Sunday.
His sentiments come as Kismayo, the lucrative southern Somali port city that
fuels insurgent activities across the war-torn country, witnesses a low flying
military planes which raised high tension.
The border between the two countries has also seen the enormous presence of
Kenyan troops, who are patrolling with the battle wagons.
It is the first time that the rebel group has declared jihad against Kenya
since capturing the bordering region.
However, Kenya denied reports of its involvement in the training of Somali
soldiers, saying it has nothing to do with the Somali issues.
Sources quoted by Garowe Online said Nairobi trained in its soil some 2,500
troops, who are ready to join the Somali government's offensive against Al
Shabaab rebels.
