Al-Shabaab Gives TFG Troops an Ultimatum

The leader of Al-Shabaab has given the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) troops an ultimatum to surrender and handover their weapons to Al-Shabaab forces in five days. The ultimatum was broadcast in some of Mogadishu’s radios.

The leader, Sheik Mukhtar Abdirahman Abu Zubeyr, said that his movement will not accept the Transitional Federal Government’s tactic of using elders for negotiations and offers of surrender meant to trick and attack his forces.

“We know about their deceitful tactics and I advise the Mujahidiin not to listen to the so called elders and misguided religious scholars. He added that the Mujahidiin should not accept any surrender of government troops while they still hold on to their arms.

“Leaders of the TFG who have renounced Islam will be brought to an Islamic court and will be prosecuted for crimes they have committed against Somalia and the Somali people and for inviting foreign troops to the country” said Sheik Mukhtar.

Sheik Mukhtar also said that the US and Ethiopian governments failed in their mission in Somalia and that the TFG is on the brink of collapse.

The leader called on the Somali people to prepare for the establishment of an Islamic government which, as he said, will not depend on the support of infidels. He added that the proposed Islamic government will be a just one which will allow all Somali Muslims to have equal participation in it.

On the other hand, in response to the remarks of Al-Shabaab leader, the TFG’s Parliament Secretary for National Defence Sheik Yuusuf Mohamed Siyaad Indha-ade said that the Al-Shabaab leader is misguided to suggest that TFG should surrender in five days and that it is the insurgents who are facing defeat and have to surrender to TFG troops.

Sheik Indha-ade added that TFG is willing to talk to any opposition group on the basis of the teaching the Quran and Sunnah. “If it is proven that we are wrong, we are prepared to repent but let Ahmed Godane accept talks and accept his mistakes if it is proven he is wrong” added the Parliamentary Secretary for National Defence.

These exchanges of accusations and counter-accusations and claims of victory by each side come at a time when in the last two months the two sides have been engaged in deadly fighting where hundreds of civilians were killed and injured and thousands were displaced.

Source: HOL