THE FIRST ATTEMPT TO ENTER INTO SOMALIA:

After withdrawal of Russian Forces from Afghanistan, there was discontent and conflict between Arab Mujahedeen’s and the Afghan Mujahedeen’s. Following this, Osama Bin Laden decided to form Al-Qaeda Organization, and recollected the Arab Mujahedeen’s who returned to their respective countries.

Osama Bin Laden, who was doing a lot of unusual maneuvers, was chased away from Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Sudan.

It was this time that some of Al-Itihad members, whom were looking for support and to meet Osama Bin Laden made an attempt. Osama, who was very much eager to straighten his organization, told the Somali Al-Itihad to join his Al-Qaeda organization, the members of the Somali Al-Itihad told him that they can not join to the Al-Qaeda Network, but that they would like to have general work relations among them. Finally, it was agreed that Al-Itihad take some assignments of Jihad carried within Somalia, so that Osama will give military and financial support to Somali Itihadist.

As agreed with Al-Qaeda, the Itihadist called secret meeting at Ba’adwain location, in which all the important figures were called from Canada, United Kingdom and Zambia by the ambitious man called Abdul-Aziz Farah Luga-jireh, who later died in the fighting.

In this conference a final resolution was reached, in which all the members agreed to wage a war, and control North Western region of Somalia, at the meeting there were four Al-Qaeda members of Arab origins, whom were sent as observers by Al-Qaeda, which were widely unknown to the entire world at that time.

The Itihadist, who was led at that time by Sheik Ali Warsame signed the command paper to Sheik Hassen Daher Aweis to start the fighting in Puntland, in which they control the administration of Bossaso,Qardho, Garowe and many other districts in Puntland.

During the UNISOM, Al-Itihad devided in to two groups which were saying:-

* General Mohamed Farah Aidid and Admiral Jonathan Howe (US led forces General Commander in Somalia ), are both the same, they are not Moslems, so you cant support to General Aidid
* This is the best opportunity to carry Jihad, and kill the Americans.

Those whom were pro-Jihadism supported General Aidid, and entered to the fighting against UNISOM US led forces in Somalia.

It was at this, when the fighting broke out between UNISOM and USC (United Somali Congress), members of Al-Qaeda sent to their chairman in to Mogadishu, they started imparting the Itihadist group how to place road side Bombs.

AL-QAEDA AND SOUTHERN REGIONS OF SOMALIA:

When Al-Itihad was hit badly, and the environment became very harsh, some members of Al-Itihad like Osman Moallim Mohamoud , and Ahmed Daher Aweis (Brother of Hassen Daher Aweis), became the first to appose that the war in North Eastern region is not an Islamic, and those who waged should be responsible then after.

Some eldermen, whom are members of Al-Itihad decided to open a negotiation with SSDF (Somali Salvation Democratic Front), and Abdul-Lahi Yossef, that was a window of opportunity, and a way out of the mass they’ve created of the hostile environment.

Those, who started the negotiation, were: Sheik Abdul-Kader Ga’amai, Sheik Abdul-Wahed Hashi and Abdul-Lahi Ali Hashi. The outcome of their negotiation can be summarized below:-

* To close the training camps of Al-Itihad those locates at Saliid in the North Eastern region, and disperse the forces.
* To send back every Al-Itihad forces (Boys) to their respective regions and clans.
* That those were born in the North Eastern will not face revenge, when they are integrated to the society.

The Al-Itihad group left their main training bases of the North Eastern region, and returned back to small structural base of Southern region in Gedo. They started cleaning the other groups such as the USC (United Somali Congress), and SNF (Somali National Front), and straightened their hold in the area, before they did bring elements of Al-Qaeda.

After they authority fully prevailed in the region, they started bringing hardcore Al-Qaeda elements in the region, most of these Al-Qaedas came from many different routes, according to one of them (a Yemeni origin), who confessed that he has fought in the region, he said “ that he came through Kenya as a Red Crescent aid group, and addition of that he was commanded by unknown Grand Sheik to collect some money, and go to Somalia, and carry also his Jihad duty”.

As they number increased, the Al-Qaeda members couldn’t sit and wait, there fore, one night three Commandoes men went and attacked an Ethiopian Base, starting the first direct conflicts with one of the neighboring countries in the region, this was the second and direct operation carried by Al-Qaeda in Somalia, so they were attacked, and badly hit together with Al-Itihad by the Ethiopian forces, and they ran away from Somalia.

THE AL-QAEDA BEFORE AND DURING USC

When Al-Itihad in the Southern region was destroyed by the Ethiopian army, the remaining numbers of Al-Itihad ran to Kismaio, Dhoblai and Raskamboni, while some of them scattered in to Kenya and Mogadishu etc.

Very few of Al-Qaeda members whom remained in Somalia got to sancitary in Raskamboni forest and forts, and the whole there until they come out in 1998, with some explosive that they used letter in the US embassies of Nairobi & Darussalam.

The calibrates of 1998 Bombing in the US Embassies in Nairobi & Darussalam, and their co-operators ran into Somalia (The Land of Anarchy), where there isn’t an effective central government.

One of them was Salah Ali Salah Al-Nabhan, who was Yemeni origin, Al-Nabhan family is well known Yemeni family origin, living in different parts of Somalia, specially in Afgoie and Kismaio cities.

According to reliable sources Salah Ali Al-Nabhan was born in Afgoie district, Lower Shabelle region,

(30kms) South of Mogadishu, where his father had a farm. His father Ali Salah Al-Nabhan had another family in Kismaio, capital City of Lower Jubba region,(500 kms) South of Mogadishu.

After the collapse of the central government, Saleh Ali Saleh Al-Nebhan moved from Kismaio to Lamu and Mombasa in Kenya, he was fluent speaker of Somali, Arabic and Ksiwahili, when he returned from Kenya, he settled back in Baidoa (South West of Somalia, 250 Kms from Mogadishu), where he married from the local (a girl who is close relative to strong warlord of the area), Salah Ali Al-Nabhan disappeared from Somalia, in around late 2002, in which he is believed that he participated again in the operation of BARADISE HOTEL bombing in Mombasa-Kenya 2003, and returned in to Somalia.

At this time, he hided him self in Lower Shabelle region, one of the tactics that these Al-Qaeda members use to hide them selves, during the early stages were to assimilate into the locals disguising them selves as business men , and marrying from powerful families.

Another man, who is believed strongly involved in the bombing of BARADISE HOTEL in Mombassa, and attempted to shoot down the Israeli Airline Plane, came to hide himself in Somalia, and immediately started to mix with business community in Mogadishu, and introduced him self as businessman in different fields, including fishery and having branches in Dubai/UAE, and many other countries.

This man was being followed by the FBI, he was once attacked and wounded by militia of Ceyr clan, who had a good relation with a strong warlord.

Like many other Al-Qaeda men, he was aware of clan politics of Somalia, and the setting of Mogadishu situation, so he begged not to take him to the hospitals at Habr Gidr side, unknowingly that the main actor is waiting for him at the Abgal side.

In 2004, he became the first man that has taken from Somalia for investigation; he then was flown up to an Israeli Airport. After the success of this operation, the FBI became hopeful that the criminals could be netted, and brought to the justice, and this could be the possible reason that brought the warlords and the FBI together, which led the formation of the Anti Terrorist Group (ATG) of Somalia, whom were:-

1. Bashir Rage Shirar

2. Mohamed Kanyare Afrah

3. Mohamed Dhere

4. Muse Sudi Yalahow

5. Abdi Nore Siad (Abdi Wal)

6. Abdul Rashid Il-Ghaite

7. Omer Mohamed Mohamoud (Omer Filish)

8. Isse Osman

9. Abdi Awale Ghaib-did

10. Abdi Shoukry, and

11. Botan Isse Alen (Haran Ku Nah)

Al-Qaeda, which believed that Somalia is an strategic place after Afghanistan and Yemen, and increased its presence in Somalia by sending more trainers, experts, consultants and financers, some of foreign Al-Qaeda whom were present in Somalia such as:- Mohamed Abdalla Fazul, Abdalla Al-Sudani and so on.

As the number increased the threat towards them also increased, there fore, they thought of protection from strong businessmen such as: -, Hormuud Telecom AKA Barakat and Banadir Group Company, during this time, in one incident, they were attacked in their residential area, where they were hiding at AFARTA JARDINO. They also learned how the clan political is played in Somalia, so they said “if those who attacked us are Hart-Abgals, and then let us go to the area of Wa’esleh at SUUQ BACAAD area, and they moved there.

In another incident, a team of Commandos attacked a house, which occupied by foreigners, Aden Hashi Erow and one of his close relative, and they took two of the foreigners, and one Somali, who was a brother in-low of Aden Hashi Erow through Deynile Airport, because of all this tried and danger they finally settled to get stronger god father, and they found one Mr.Abukar Omer Addan, they entered into strong agreement and commitment with him.

Mr.Abukar Omer Addan, is a strong businessman, who controlled Elma’an Natural Sea-Port, who also built strong financial base with a short period of time, thus became highly influential who established strong ring of close relative around his base.

After agreement, he brought them and give a residential area, with strong protection, putting strong forces in all four corners, depicting them as business community, they were given also special small Mini-Buses covered with curtains from inside, also with a small coffee table inside, that they use to go, guarded petrol Bick-ups, while they carry their own guns, including BKM, and heavily well-armed.

After the agreement, Sheik Abukar O. Adaan, made a big ceremony and declared from that on, that he isn’t pounded to any clan, and announced also that he can be only referred as a Moslem man, and denounced clan and clan affiliation, he also said “I’ll use all my property and financial assets to facilitate and straighten the cause of Islam”. It was a very strange to many Somali people, everybody thought that he has gone mad, because of they didn’t know the reality, and the cause was different.

According to the agreement, he was trying to make a hell of money out of Al-Qaeda protection, and the assignment was given, he was told that he will become a king-maker in Somalia, of course he became at last the king-maker, because he was the one who brought Sheik Sherif to the stage, but he lost a lot of his assets, and things went out of control, including Elma’an Natural Sea-Port, he also got strong support from his close family, and relatives and they strongly involved them selves in the program. He was the first project manager, who called Hassen Daher Aweis and the other small clan courts, including that of Sheik Sharif from Sii-Sii, in that way, he managed to form an umbrella as UIC (Union of Islamic Courts).

Every body was wondering the reason behind this; this was the start of the strong working relations between Al-Qaeda, and Somali groups, moreover, it was the first time they were given open chance to exercise their principles and ideology to the Somali society directly. The Somali people started wondering when new regulations and the rules started coming as the new ideology of Al-Qaeda Islamic Version.

SOMALI AL-QAEDA MEMBERS AND THEIR ASSIGNMENT

Apart from foreign Al-Qaeda members, whose number is estimated to be between 20 up to 30, these were more than 20 Somali Al-Qaeda members, whom were highly trained in Afghanistan. These Somali Al-Qaeda members were given strange and special assignments to be performed in Somalia.

The assignment given to them was to eliminate high ranking former military officials and important figures in the society, who could be possible challenge to Al-Qaeda’s principle in future.

Most of these eliminations were done in a professional way, first, a group of Al-Qaeda members sit as a judiciary and decide that a particular person, who was considered as a threat to be eliminated, then if the resolution is passed then a surveillance group will be sent, and a group of hit men will be sent to carry out the assassination. During the early times, these hit men were students, whom were trained by Aden Hashi Erow, and his foreign Al-Qaeda collogues, these trainees were giving Karate lessons courses and exclusive equipment to these teenagers.

In this process, more than 60(Sixty) high ranking of former Military and Police officials, estimated 180 (One Hundred and Eighty), middle ranking officials and more than 300 (Three Hundred) important figures of the society were eliminated in many different parts in Somalia, especially in Mogadishu, before the TFG reached in Mogadishu.

This project was ran by Somali Al-Qaeda members, thought, it was being officiated by high rank foreign members, the funny thing about this issue those whom acted as spokesman for this criminal, mostly Religious, Elder men, Al-Itihad, UIC, and some business community members whom were all collaborators were blaming Ethiopia for these killings, with no apparent proves or reasons to confuse the Somali people.

Al-Qaeda was highly confident to take over the control of Somalia easily, after eliminating the few important figures, whom patiently endured the hardship and remained in the country during the long civil war.

THE MAKING OF UIC (UNION OF ISLAMIC COURTS)

THE INVOLVEMENT OF ABDULKASEM & ABUKAR OMER ADDAN:

There is some indication that the former president of Somalia Mr. Abdulkasem Salad Hassen, had a remote contact with Al-Qaeda members of both foreigners and Somali origins. According to some reliable information tells that he together with Somali late former warlord General Mohamed Farah Aidid, had met Al-Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden and Hassen Al-Turabi in Sudan some time back between 1993 up to 1994.

Three to four loads of ship of Sugar consignments were sent to General Aidid through to Mogadishu & Mombassa Ports, by the end of 1994, and the beginning of 1995, while NGO civil society connection were given to Abdulkasem S. Hassen (how ever the relationship between Abdulkasem and General Aidid back fired over the Sugar money),

In another incident, he appeared in a Telephone conversation with Al-Qaeda Leader Osama Bin Laden, and a Video tape, that clipped by Al-Qaeda experts. This could be a conversation, but the important thing over this issue is that Al-Shabab was posting about his involvement with Al-Qaeda.

In direct involving with Al-Qaeda, during his presence, he formed a group of 12 foreign men and placed them in a special compound, next to the Italian grave-yard, ( modern of Al-Shabab’s Salahudine Training Camp), and assigned them with the duty of carrying rehabilitating clan militia, and reforming them in to Islamic militia in cover of DDR

(Disarming, Disciplining and reintegrating), telling that this program is a DDR, but it was RRR (Rehabilitating, Reforming and Reintegrating) into Al-Shabab, when he left the stage this group who was acting like stationary Tablaighs, who later joined clan courts, that started appearing in different parts of Mogadishu.

They started supporting the judiciary financially, and facilitated the smooth functioning of these courts, and returned be availed with teenagers to be rehabilitated, reformed and then returned to the courts as Islamic Law enforcement militias, and later joined the umbrella of UIC (Union of Islamic Courts).

1. Ifka Xalan Court

2. Warshadda Caanaha

3. Al-Furqaan

4. Kaaraan Court

5. Mediina Court

6. Xamar Wein Court

7. Daryeel Court, and

8. Shiirkole Court

There fore, the collection of the rehabilitation and reformed militia from the centre of Al-Qaeda became the first force of the UIC, whom became available to defend UIC from started fighting against the Anti-Terrorist Group (ATG).

The strong working relations between Abdulkasem S.Hassen and Abukar O.Addan started a few months, during the Somali Presidential Campaign in Arta-Djibouti, when Abdulkasem brought Djiboutian delegation led by Mr. Ali Abdi Farah was brought to Ramadan Hotel by Abdulkasem and Abukar O.Addan.

From that time on, the relationship between them grew up, and Mr.Addan became the center of the TNG (Transitional Federal Government), and the area of Ramadan Hotel became the government center, and housed all most of the government officials, including the Prime Minister and members of the Parliament.

In the process, he made a huge of money, and became direct beneficiary of the TNG next to Abdulkasem.

During the TNG collapse, he took alternative way, and negotiated with Al-Qaeda top officials in Mogadishu, and commenced financing the formation of Somali Courts, and with a short period time, formed the Union of Islamic Courts (UIC), for example, Sii-Sii Islamic Court he agreed to pay US$2000 (Two Thousand US Dollars) per month, and gave four (4) BKM rifles and ten (10) AK 47 rifles, for its establishments, he also facilitated and organized several meetings in his Hotel the period to formation of UIC.

On one side, he brought Sheik Sherif as his Son, on the other hand Hassen Daher Aweis, and putting Al-Qaeda at the center as mentor, in the process he became the main engine of the whole process of UIC and Al-Qaeda, he tried to bring closer Habr Gidir & Abgal clans through fast perception of religion of Al-Qaeda Version, based on his personal greedy interest.

He started controlling the port through his elder Son, and all the financial and material aid, that as sent from Al-Qaeda connections from Arab countries. His center became the central Bank of Somalia, where Millions of Dollars were being channeled, through expenses and political favors.

His center also became a place of propagating the Al-Qaeda ideals and principles, and passing resolutions like dressing code for women and the militias, prohibiting watching televisions and Films, and chew kat, listening music songs, shaving the moustache and leaving the beard alone and many others.

At the time passed, UIC established it self stronger and the commands of Al-Qaeda took the following hierchy.

Top Al-Qaeda (foreigners) and Al-Shababs (Somali Al-Qaeda) Council of Shura (Hassen Daher Aweis)- Excutive Body (Sheik Sherif), as we can see, the executive body did not the whole scenario, they come to learn in the middle of the game.

In one incident, Al-Shabab killed two men in Siinka dheer in unusual manner, the boys were killed, because they had a long hair in their own style, they were confronted by Al-Shabab, and they were asked why they did not respect the order that they were given the previous week?, as the argument started, this was what promted Sheik Sherif to give an order of arrest warrant of the killers, to his surprise sheriff was told that the killers are Al-Shabab, and can not be arrested, so he requested Sheik Hassen Daher Aweis to give him an explanation, and also Sheik Sherif demanded to know if they are the same group or not, then Hassen Daher told him that these Al-Shababs are stubborn young boys who organize them selves, and they are not listening to us, first let’s finish the main job, and we’ll come back later on this issue, and that was when Sheik Sherif got his real sense.

AL-QAEDA INGAGED DIRECT WAR

THE FIRST TIME IN MOGADISHU

While the TFG was established it self in the middle Shebele region in Jowhar, the Union of Islamic Courts were also spreading its influence over the capital of Mogadishu, and were trying hard to control some strategic places in the City.

This brought a direct confrontation with the warlords, whose aim was to snatch some of Al-Qaeda officials under the protection of Islamic Courts.

As the tension grew, and the air saturated with war preparation between the UIC and the warlords. The number of Al-Qaeda presence in Somalia started in rising up, and in short period of time reached seven fold (estimated number 250-350), the first time they went in to direct fighting against local Somali militias, whom were in Sii-Sii area in Yaaqshiid District, in support of UIC militia who met strong and repulsion from the local militia of late Nor Dakhle. The confirmed number of foreign Al-Qaeda members who died in that fighting were three, in which destroyed the face of the body of their colleague with hand grenade to avoid the identification of their identity, when they became un able to collect it.

After taking the control of Mogadishu, the moral of the UIC and Al-Qaeda members arose, as a result some of the principles were disregarded by allowing chewing of Mirra to the newly joined militias.

The Al-Qaeda group of Somalia was very eager, and highly enthusiastic to end the final warlord domination in Jowhar (The Capital of the Middle Shabele Region), before going to Baidoa to face the TFG, so an estimated number of 100 foreign fighters took part the final preparation, and followed the UIC militia from behind through Bal’ad direction.

How ever, was concluded with in here hours before they joined, and they returned back collecting all necessary documents and computers from the administration UN offices and International NGOs after three days.

THE FINAL SHOW UP WITH UIC & AL-QAEDA

AGAINST TFG AND ETHIOPIAN FORCES

The triumphant of UIC on the Al-Qaeda members started preparing them selves after the defeat of the Warlords.

After six months of preparation, UIC together with Al-Qaeda members waged the final war against the TFG & the Ethiopian forces, this was the time when the number of Al-Qaeda members reached the highest peak, though it wasn’t easy to get their exact

number, the estimated from their movement, but they reach around 300 (Three Hundred), most of them came from Asia, Africa and can be written in decreasing order as follows:-

1. Pakistan
2. Yemen
3. Bangladesh
4. Morocco
5. Sudan
6. Tanzania
7. Kenya

And many other different individuals from the world including, Scandinavians, France, United Kingdom and USA.

Many of these foreigners were experts, and highly educated people, and also well trained, there fore, they were completely different, especially in urban and street fighting.

In one incident, during the UIC, a man refused to accept the verdict of a local Court in Suuqa Xoolaha, and continued construct the place, being protected by a group of ten militia men, another militia group led by Kabo ku Dukade was un able to arrest, how ever, Adan Hashi Erow who was around sent a highly trained a Yemeni Commandos with only one Gun killed two of them, and the eight others arrested, this shows how some of them were well trained, some of them were heavily armed & they were fighting with two guns.

But the situation became very different, it became open field direct fighting, therefore, since they came for JIHAD, they had no option, but only to fight, not as a street fighter, but like other militias, not in their training and the stay, but also in the battle field.

This time, they faced the reality, when they joined the fighting in Idale area, where more than half of them were killed in the field.

According to a source, from first hand information, between Al-Qaeda forces and Ethiopian forces started over small water place, the fighting continued until some of the top leaders were trapped in the fighting, finally when the fighting was over, the number of the white bodies were collected, where 43 (forty three) of them were Yemenis and the 15 remained were Pakistanis, while 3 other white dead bodies were left behind.

According to this source, one who was leading said “only white bodies were being collected.

There were four groups of foreigners:-

1. ONLF
2. OLF, of Ethiopian origins
3. Eritrean Trainers and Military advisers
4. official Al-Qaeda members from the world

And the newly radicalized emotional Diaspora group, and some little number of foreigners, whom are not well trained.

THE AL-QAEDA FOUGHT AGAINST

ETHIOPIANS BEHIND THE CURTAIN

When the Ethiopians entered in to Mogadishu, there was enough prove to show that there was no hat rate or atomicity coming from the general people of Somalia towards the Ethiopians.

In most of the places, they were applause and welcomed. in one incident, at Suuqa Xoolaha, when the Ethiopian forces were nearer and reached Jowhar, a group of Ladies with covered faces, whom were pro-UIC started agitating the people, to rise up against the Ethiopians from no where, another group of ladies started throwing stones at them, until the first group ran in to house, and finally saved them from the mob anger by Elder men, who later demanded that the first group should uncover their faces before they leave the place.

The Ethiopian force stationed at El-Arfid, were free to come and make shopping at Suuqa Xoolaha area, most of them being unarmed for the first two months, there was no fear between the Ethiopian forces and the inhabitants at Suuqa Xoolaha area, there was no problem that could bring alert.

At the same time, a group of Elders whom were formed by the community and willing to work with the Ethiopian forces, in order to freeze the frictions between them. on the other side, a group of Foreigners, mostly Al-Qaeda members returned and occupy their bases and disguising them selves as a teachers, medical doctors and group of Tablaighs at Al-HEDAYA Institution and Mosque.

Therefore the normal & healthy way of dealing among the people and the Ethiopians disturbed and suspicion started, then Al-Qaeda gave another directive to the teenagers, throwing hand grenades to the Ethiopians from within the people.

As result, the Ethiopians were forced to respond and defend them selves to the grenades, in the process, many people were badly harmed, and this created a bigger gab between the Ethiopians and the community.

It was this center which took the responsibility to bring to the Somali people against the Ethiopian force, according to the first hand sources, a person who used to sell vegetables to the Ethiopian forces narrates how it happens as follows:-

These foreigners started their connections with a group of teenagers about thirteen or fourteen young people, this group was given the first assignments, which was to stop the Ethiopian forces, integrating to the society, the teenagers were told that they can do this only by stopping their own people, and they can first do this by threatening any body who sells things to them, so the job was immediately started”, Halima Olow told me “it is at this un-Islamic reason why I left my job, many people were beating, and some others were killed”.

So, the shop keepers, vegetable sellers started avoiding selling their things to the Ethiopian forces, by closing their shops, or running from the places.

During this time, several people were killed, though it did not work effectively the way that Al-Qaeda wanted to be.

The Al-Qaeda wanted that many Somali People to be killed, so that the gab gets into wider, the number of foreigners in this center were about 20 men, mostly Pakistani & Bengali origins, some of them were retired high ranking officials, medicals and caders all of them were acting like teachers, in the center when they were coming they disguised them selves as Tablaigh men.

After they settled in the center, they started giving directive to a group of selected men, who were leading the operations against the Ethiopians.

As the confrontations continued the Ethiopian forces started taking security precautions in around of Suuqa Xoolaha.

As the time passed, most of the militia of UIC, and highly radicalized group of Somali Al-Qaeda members returned in to Mogadishu, and straightened the fight against Ethiopian forces.

It is at this moment, when they took the name of MUQAAWAMO, which means (RESISTANCE), these insurgents divided into two groups, a group of:-

* Which are regular fighters, which are the remainders of the UIC & Nasrudin group of Adan Hashi Erow.
* Which are casual fighters, which were organized by Al-Qaeda experts, and the main financers of the later group was Ahmed Nor Ali Jim’ale, the owner of former Al-Barakat (Modern Hormuud Telcomunication Company-Hortel)

According to very reliable sources, one who joined the group confirms me that this man officiated the first group, which participated in this activity, and the group was given dual job, and learning as students in cover, and fighting as casual fighters.

In the school, every body was being given a school uniform, SSH.40.000 (Forty Thousand Somali Shillings) per day, and in the school also, they were given all tactics of war and to go against the TFG forces and Ethiopian forces, the school was run under NGOs cover with selected teachers and students, and the during in the nights they were given Military training lessons, and orientation under supervision of Al-Qaeda men at main center of Al-Hedaya Mosque.

The students are selected through process at Al-Hedaya Center and Masque, then they are given Military training, after the mid night on moonlights until the morning prayer is reached, after two months they are sent to join AL-AQSA cover schools, that situated in three different parts of Mogadishu such as:- Gubta, Bakara Market and Suuqa Xoolaha.

The students graduate with the officiated by Ahmed Nor Ali Jim’ale, and on Fridays nights on religious function, they call FETRUDIN NIGHT, as Al-Qaeda version, after the graduation they are fully engaged in the war against the TFG & the Ethiopian Forces.

Some of their jobs were to transfer hand grenades and pistols from Bakara Market to various places in the City, hiding in small boxes of medicines, after it is backed in whole sellers of pharmacies in Bakara Market, then they can move them easily from place to place disguising them as medicines.

Students uniforms are also used as instruments disguise them selves as innocent people, those whom are married are also given professions from food stores in Bakara Market.

THE EXPERIENCE OF FORMER AL-SHABAB MEMBER

He said “my worst experience was one day when we were given order to ambush the Ethiopian forces near Pasta Factory, so and it became very difficult from which position to attack, as old places became thorny bushes, we were about 20 Al-Shababs with one foreign Al-Qaeda Cameraman, who was supposed to record the fighting, we cancelled the operation in three times, then the Al-Qaeda group got angry, we called back, and asked why we couldn’t attack the Ethiopian forces ?, and then we told them that there is a very poison thorny trees, from which we can not attack, and we looked another option, they

asked us several questions and finally they learned that the Ethiopian forces come every day to the bunker at 3:00 pm, then they gave as another directive as translated us by Saeed Yahye (from Urdu to Somali), who letter on killed at Al-Hedaya Mosque, that we go to the Bunker at 2:30pm, and then we did and occupied the Bunker before the arrival of the Ethiopians.

So to our surprise, we saw only one Ethiopian Soldier coming towards us, then some of my group suggested to shoot the Soldier, but our Amir(boss) refused us to shoot, saying that, don’t shoot him, let’s wait the others to come out, suddenly, opening fire started towards the car that was carrying the foreign cameraman, I saw a hell of bullets on the top of our car, and then we started giving it fire cover to the car and defend the foreign cameraman.

The driver man saved our day! He ran away with the foreign cameraman, our plan of ambush normally takes a few minutes, with just started, then we ran, but the worst always happen where a foreigner of Al-Qaeda is hurt or killed in the battle field, in such cases you can not run from him, and no excuse is accepted, because when one is going to operation, he is given enough mobile credit full, two or three mobile batteries and enough ammunition, if such cases happen you have to call back, and get immediate back up at any case and protect the foreigner, if you don’t and run then you will face a real danger, because you will be immediately killed, as a traitor, this happened in several times.

To my experience at one occasion a Kenyan Al-Qaeda was wounded, two of his immediate stuffs whom were brothers came and reported that the man is badly wounded and that they over powered by the Ethiopian fire, so they ran away, and could not safe and take the wounded man, when they finished their reporting, they were immediately shot, only to find out the wounded man, who hided him self through the bush being still alive.

What touched me so much, was the grievance of their mother who raised her only two Sons as a single parent, after that mistake happened, the only thing that could be done was to pay the compensation (the Black Money).

In another occasion, two foreigners of Pakistani origin were killed, after the killing the bodies were to be defended, in the process; more than 27 people have died, including adorable team leader of Al-Shabab called Farhan.

In similar incident, at Gumarai between Pasta Factory and Ramadan Hotel, another foreigner was injured, and the fighting intensified in which a lot of back up came, and finally he was saved, but we lost there 22 other men on the spot, and many others were wounded, in addition that One Suzuki and Toyota Surf were also captured in hot fighting from Al-Shabab.

Because of all the above experiences, in which that I was part of it, when the Ethiopians started attacking the cameraman in the car, I thought that I was in a nightmare and was also in my last day, after we ran away, we returned, and the cameraman was under the seats in the car at Al-Hedaya Center, I wish I had a Camera to take some pictures, so as to display the way of his face has turned to.

As the government became weak, and insurgents started controlling in Middle Jubba & Lower Shabele regions, the Al-Qaeda and Al-Shabab leaders started changing the locations and tactics of attack, as directed by Al-Qaeda experts.

Ahmed Nor Ali Jim’ale, chose Al-Hedaya to reform his people, and make them a religious people.

During the Warlords’ period, his clan militia was the bravest, strongest and most stubborn hardcore gangsters, whom control at Suuqa Xoolaha, they were the most Anti UIC and the radicalization, he used his influence, and the money to change the course.

According to international sources, after killing Sheik Ibrahem Farah Abdi, who was the chairman of the clan court at the Milk Factory, an elder and protector of the clan was assassinated the same night that the militia of Botan Isse Alen (known as Haran Ku Nah) were attacked, the turning point of the whole clan from the Warlord clan militia was highly radicalized to Al-Shabab militia.

After long argument and discussion, the Sheik refused to accept that the militia of the clan under Haran Ku Nah to be attacked by the UIC with the Somali Al-Qaeda, all the top UIC leaders were there to reach the final verdict to attack the militia, until the Sheik finally removed, and the businessman (Mr. Ahmed Nur Jim’ale) was present there, so for time being he became free man to dominate the whole clan, and radicalized most of his people.

SECRET DEAL MADE BY SHARIF HASSAN & ETHIOPIA PM MELEZ ZANAWI

It become very obvious that President Yusuf and his prime ministers had been at loggerheads over how to deal with the Islamist-led armed opposition that controls most of southern Somalia. Mr Yusuf has long been an ally of neighbouring Ethiopia – one of Somalia’s traditional enemies – and a foe of Somalia’s Islamists. But this foreign intervention was deeply unpopular at home and he was unable to wipe out the Islamists.

Ethiopia’s PM Melez Zanawi took a bold move and made a secret deal with well known member of Alliance for the Re-liberation of Somalia “Sharif Hassan Sheik Adan”

Here are what PM Melez Zanawi of Ethiopia had in min:

1. To build a close relationship with new coming administration, and control of the political cloud after D’Jabouti peace process. He did not trust PM Nur Hassan Hussein “Nur Adde” as it seemed that he may be the next President.
2. He believed the Islamic Party will be elected in D’Jabouti, and they will get more popular & support in Somalia. And can also get backing from Eriteria main rival in the region, which has long been accused of supporting Somali insurgents in a proxy war against Ethiopia.

The deal was, to lobby for Sharif Sheik Ahmed to become President, and in return both men Sheik Sharif and Sharif Hassan will become close allies of Melez and he gauranteed their safety of any kind. Melez and Jendayi Frazer, US Assistant Secretary for African Affairs lobbied hard to make sure the opposition group must get additional 275 members of the parliement. “In other words – gauranteed election of Sharif Sheik Ahmed” How can you loose an election if you’ve 50% of the vote!! The first unjustice move of the D’Jabouti peace process..

AL-QAEDA AND THE UNITY GOVERNMENT OF THE TFG

It took eighteen month – since the Ethiopian invasion of Somalia – for the “International Community” to recognize that the warlord-dominated Transitional Federal Government (TFG) and Autocratic Ethiopian Prime Minister Mele Zenawi’s agenda for Somalia was not intended for stabilization or institution building, but to destabilize Somalia by creating what United Nations Under-Secretary for Humanitarian Affair John Holmes called “the worst humanitarian disaster in the world”, and in the process destroyed the economic, social, human, and democratic infrastructure, which are necessary for stabilization, and state reconstruction.

The Somali government, particularly the Unity Government was very much aware of about the presence of Al-Qaeda elements of both foreigners and the locals, because they have been working with them in one way or another.

In order to get a valuable solution to the long dragged civil war of Somalia, the International Community (IC) especially the UN-led effort brought the former TFG government, and the moderate group of UIC, which culminated the formation of Unity Government.

As a result, strong statement from Al-Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden demanded to over throw of the Unity Government of Sheik Sherif, accusing him as a traitor of Islam, the statement was a directive to Al-Qaeda members and supporters that leave in Somalia.

On the other hand, it was complete evidence to the world in general, that there are strong presence of Al-Qaeda fighters, followers and supporters whom were ready to exercise the directives given by Osama Bin Laden.

This was proved by Somali Al-Qaeda members, who openly came in the day light, and declared their allegiance to Osama, and on the process, distributed hundreds of Video Cassette Recorders, conforming that they will fulfill their leader’s demands, and also they shall over throw Sheik Sherif, so, Al-Shabab which is an extension of Al-Qaeda doubled its activity of war, fighting against the Unity Government of the TFG, and pushing the government and circling in to few blocks.

THE CRACK BETWEEN AL-SHABAB & HEZBOL-ISLAM

OVER THE STATEMENT OF OSAMA BIN LADEN

The statement of Al-Qaeda leader steered the whole Somalia, it became the issue of talk at every corner as a result. It promted Hassen Daher Aweis, the leader of Hezbol-Islam to comment on it. He said “Osama has no right to intervene in to the internal affair of Somalia, the solution of Somalia lies on the shoulders of the Somalis” when asked that some men of his alliance have shown allegiance to Osama, he said “they can support” that was the first crack, and then Mr. Jim’ale took advantage of the situation and started new alliance and he picked a former Marketing manager of Telesom Somalialand, Ahmed Godane and formed new leadership of Al-Shabab most of them came from Somalialand region to throw suspusious of him from eyes of the world they’ve later started to attack Hassen Daher Aweis in several times, and attempted to assassinate him twice.

As the gab started widening, a group of six foreigners, who were former Al-Qaeda teachers at Al-Hedaya reservised again, and he started to reduce the tension between the two factions (Al-Shabab & Hezbol-Islam), the foreigners were under the protection of Al-Shabab, yet they were acting as middlemen.

At one point the leader of Hezbol-Islam Mr. Aweis was ordered to hand over the armies, in a meeting that was being mediated by the above mentioned group. Mr. Aweis knew that the Al-Shabab officers in the meeting were juniors, there fore he said “I don’t have an objection, if you are going to march together, you cal your seniors, to whom I will hand over them, after drafting the terms of the agreement and conditions, then we will work together as the Sharia Laws allows”

Then Al-Shabab group said “our seniors are here” referring to the foreigners, so, you hand over them”, so Mr.Aweis said “I know they are our brothers and mediators, I hope they will not take a side, and Moslems can work together when they are agreed” that is how they blocked them.

How ever, the internal fighting is steel going on, and Mr.Aweis him self openly told that he is in a danger, and that he is escaped assassination plot twice,, and at the same time, he told to the press that he prefer to be killed by Al-Shabab instead of the Americans or the TFG

AL-QAEDA: FREE TO ENTER AND LEAVE SOMALIA

One thing, which is clear to every body, is that mostly white skinned Al-Qaeda members, whom are in Somalia neither, grew in there, nor kin to the tall and dark skinned Somalis.

The only think they share in common is the religion, which is recently politicized by Al-Qaeda, as a new version of Islamic crusade, the question is, how do they find their way into Somalia?

The mode of entering into Somalia changes from time to time, once they enter their movement is much easier than that of their own country, the problem that the Al-Qaeda members have especially for file members, and low ranking officers are when crossing through neighboring countries, for the high & middle ranking members, they prefer traveling by sea.

During earlier years, they could easily travel as NGOs personal, and some times as Red Crescent Officials.

How ever, as the situation got bit serious, their mode of entering Somalia kept changing, the main root they take is through:-

KENYA – MOMBASSA – LAMU (BY LAND)

KENYA – LIBOY (BY LAND)

DJIBOUT-HARGEISA (BY LAND)

DIRECT HARGEISA TO MOGADISHU AIRPORT (BY AIR)

YEMEN TO BOSSASO (BY SEA)

And through uncounted natural ports of Somalia.

According to One Seaman, who was involved in ferrying illegal immigrant from puntland to Yemen in 1998-2000, narrated his experience as follows.

As a Seaman, we used to take migrants from coast of Somalia to the coasts of Yemen, especially to (Hamaha, Bir ali and Abyan), there are work relations between us & the Yemenis, so when we reach there, these small boats of fisheries they get ready and collect the migrants from us to other side (the Yemeni coast), some of these fishing boats act as Brokers, and arrange another consignment, mostly men or Military hardware, when we get such this job, it is a celebration to us, because in most cases, the boat owner isn’t involved, as he is not aware of it, so we will share what ever is paid.

In such cases, we transfer the consignments to another boat in the middle of the Ocean, the other boat is loaded its load from the coastal area of Yemen, where we are not supposed to know, some times, we are requested to load their boat to hidden places at the coast, and we are given some money, and fuel for our boat.

The people, we carry from the other side, most of them are said to be Tableaghs, during the first agreement, we are not told about the presence of these Tableighs, we are only told after the first agreement is settled.

It is always a request to help the Tableighs, and with all justification they are carried as a separate entity, and they don’t show any kind of suspicion, that they know about it, or connection to the consignment.

Immediately, when they board on the boat, they start radicalizing us, and when they reach the Somali Coasts, they start going on foot.

This Seaman, who learned a lot of things, since then believes that there is no Tableighs, all who are working as Tableighs are working in cover, and mostly them are Al-Qaedas and working to radicalize people, and he (the Seaman) mentions a lot of examples, such as: how Al-Shabab is using these Tableighs to brain wash the youth, before they could use as their members, only those given ok from Tableigh Centers are regarded the most trusted men.

The Seaman, who recalls his experience, said “I could remember that there were some differences between businessmen, who smuggle weapons, and those who are after some operations, though some businessmen were involved in transferring the consignment from place to place.

With the men there is not problem, as Tableighs, there are always some one, who receives them at every station, as the network is strong, once they reach their final destination (another group would leave)”, he said as he recalls.

He confesses that it was normal thing for him to see that all these things happening around him, but now, after witnessing what is happening in around him the centeral of Somalia, he believes all these operations were the work of A-Qaeda, he also remembers, that there was a Pakistani, who married to a Somali Girl, he used to come every day from 3:00 pm to 8:00 am, to a near by a place in a Mini-Bus, with only his wife, he used to come with also a Mobile phone, a small table, two chairs and a flask of Tea with two cups.

In another incident, many foreigners who plan to travel to Somalia, first they reach in Kenya safety, then strategically draft their plan of travel with the help of their collaborators, who facilitate all the necessary documents and put in place.

All the necessary justification to convince the security personnel, for example a well established NGO foundation in the border area can easily facilitate passage of important man to Somalia, through corruption, because some security men do not give much consideration when some one is leaving from the country.

Some of them travel as Doctors to help some institutions, some of them come as tourists, and usually go to Mombassa, Malindi and Lamu, then snick to the border with the help of pre-arranged men, some of them come Hargeisa a transit to Mogadishu as delegates sponsored by a local NGO, then they disappear and integrate into their group, because no effective police or intelligent system.

All the routes are safe, so far as there is no any incident or intercepted Al-Qaeda, how ever; the most reliable means that they use now days in traveling by boat through sea, they come to a designate place at the Coast call from their Thuraya, then they are collect by four wheel drive, the offer mode that worked for long time was Tableighs, until recently when four of Tableigh men were killed in a Mosque at a Punt land.

Though, people still thought that they were genuine Tableighs, the reality is completely different as their trainees can be located here in Mogadishu.

By: Ismail D. Osman

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