- Title: KENYA / SOMALIA: AU envoy confirms foreigners are fighting and dying in Somalia
- Date: 16th May 2009
- Summary: MOGADISHU, SOMALIA (MAY 10, 2009) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF INJURED IN HOSPITAL (6 SHOTS)
- Embargoed: 31st May 2009 13:00
- Keywords:
- Topics: International Relations
- Reuters ID: LVA1C8URUPR0IE3WPHMDXHOC0LK7
- Story Text: Africa Union Envoy to Somalia Nicolas Bwakira said on Friday (May 15) that foreigners are battling the Horn of Africa nation's Western-backed government in some of the worst clashes for months.
Intelligence agencies are concerned that Somalia, with its porous borders and coastline, al Qaeda-linked Islamist groups such as Al Shabaab and weak government, might may become a beachhead for extremists trying extend their influence in Africa.
"We are aware that there are some Al Qaeda mixed with Al Shabaab, so Shabaab is part of Al Qaeda and Qaeda is part of Shabaab and we are aware today that one of them of Afghanistan origin has been killed fighting -- he was fighting," Africa Union Envoy to Somalia Nicolas Bwakira told a news conference in Nairobi on Friday.
Many observers downplay that, saying most Somalis follow a moderate form of Islam and have a deep suspicion of foreigners.
Fighting between al Shabaab militants -- who admit to having foreigners in their ranks -- and pro-government fighters has killed at least 139 people and sent around 27,000 fleeing the pock-marked, seaside capital since late last week.
"It would be unacceptable that the Shabaab Al Qaeda takes over the government in Somalia. This is a group of war criminals whom we cannot accept that they run Somalia," Bwakira said.
World powers have condemned the violence in Mogadishu and called for calm in what is one of the world's most dangerous cities.
Not only do foreigners train insurgents in explosives and tactics, but outside nations also ship weapons like landmines, grenade launchers and rockets to Somalia.
"Now, we are also aware that some arms have been brought in massively from outside, so they are getting logistical support, financial support and arms being brought in," Bwakira added.
Hardline Somali opposition leader Sheikh Hassan Dahir Aweys told Reuters on Thursday that there were some foreigners fighting in the country,but that those numbers had been embellished.
Aweys, who Washington says has links to al Qaeda, also accused U.N.
envoy Ould-Abdallah of "destroying" Somalia by his support for the transitional government.
Since early 2007 an insurgency against the government -- the 15th attempt to restore central rule since the 1991 ousting of dictator Mohamed Siad Barre -- has killed 17,700 people and wounded almost 30,000 others, according to a local rights group. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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