Somali Pirates Unify, Prepare for War to Defend Against Expected Assault on Stronghold
Apr 25, 2010
MOGADISHU---Somali pirates have militarily unified and warned al-Shabaab not to enter their stronghold of Haradheere after the militants seized two nearby towns from politically moderate Islamists.
Al-Shabaab seized the town of Eldher 150km to the east of Haradheere from Ahlu Sunna Waljamaca on Friday. The capture of the town is a substantial gain for al-Shabaab in the Galgadud region of central Somalia and a direct threat to the power base of the pirates.
The militants also took control of Urago, a village close to Eldher.
"We warned al-Shabaab not to cross into our town, if they do we will fight them." Abdullahi, a spokesman for the Somali pirates, told Tiziano by phone from Haradheere Saturday.
"We are sophisticated and better armed than them, if they try to attack we guarantee their elimination." He angrily added.
Residents in Haradheere told Tiziano that the pirates have prepared thousands of fighters and more than one hundred trucks outfitted for war to defend against al-Shabaab. "They are all armed to fight al-Shabaab." Sacdiyo Nur said by phone.
No comment was available from al-Shabaab regarding a possible assault on Haradheere.
Somalia has been without a central government since 1991 after dictator Mohamed Siad Barre was ousted from power by clan-affiliated militias who then fought each other plunging the nation into 20 years of war and anarchy.
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