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Our enemy is Al-Shabaab not government-Alhu Sunna leader

Storyline:National News, Security

 GOOBJOOG NEWS|GALMUDUG: Alhu Sunna leader Sheikh Mohamed Shakir has said his group is not against the government but focused on fighting the militant group Al-Shabaab.

In an exclusive interview with Goobjoog News, Shakir said its mission is to rid the central region of Al-Shabaab adding that they were ready to enter into negotiations with the government.

“Our goal, which we have been moving forward with, is to fight Al-Shabaab terrorists, to liberate the region and Somalia as a whole. Announcing the meeting during the visit to our great Sheikh Sheikh Yusuf, we declare that the enemy must be defended and repulsed,” said Shakir.

The Alhusuna leader who also served as Galmudug First Minister following an IGAD brokered deal in 2018 added that his group will not fight ‘anyone but Al-Shabaab. “

“We are fighting a different group and we are not in a fight with them (Galmudug state). As we are fighting that enemy who is against our good religion, therefore, I think, whoever fights us without hesitation will be regarded as individuals implementing their (al-Shabaab’s) ideology,” Shakir added.

He noted that Alhu Sunna was ready for dialogue with the government. “Everything that is wrong in Galmudug should be resolved through dialogue and without any hesitation. This is what we are looking for and we call for it to be corrected.”

Earlier, Shakir had accused the government of attacking its fighters as they visited graveyards of their late clerics in Bohol area in the outskirts of Dhusamareb. Galmudug and Alhu Sunna forces fiercely fought in Bohol on Wednesday but the group retained control of the town.

Alhu Sunna normally conducts visits to graveyards of its deceased clerics as part of its Sufi traditions.

On Friday, Alhu Sunna wrested control of Guriel in Galmudug and Mataban town in Hiiraan region. The group has previously fought alongside Somali forces against Al-Shabaab. It left Dhusamareb in 2018 after holding control since the state formation talks for Galmudug in 2015.