HARGEISA (Somalilandpress) — Security forces in Somalia’s northern breakaway enclave of Somaliland said on Saturday they had foiled an attack on a mosque in Hargeisa where the imam had spoken out against militant suicide bombings.
Somaliland prides itself on its relative stability, unlike southern parts of the failed Horn of Africa state, where hardline rebels from the al Shabaab group control large swaths of territory and are battling a weak Western-backed government.
But al Shabaab, which Washington says is al Qaeda’s proxy in Somalia, wants to extend its influence north into Somaliland and neighbouring, semi-autonomous pro-government Puntland.
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Mohamed Saqadi Dubbad, the commander of Somaliland’s security forces, said six rockets and two mortar bombs were recovered from Imam Sheikh Aden Sira’s mosque after a local woman saw a suspected bomber carrying the explosives in a jacket.
“She thought he had stolen what he was carrying and ran to grab him,” Dubbad told reporters. “The man could not free himself, but he threatened the woman, saying: ‘I will blow you up with me if you do not release me,’ so she released him.”
Imam Sira had been critical of suicide bombings carried out by al Shabaab insurgents in southern Somalia, and officials said he had received death threats from the militants.
Al Shabaab hit Somaliland and Puntland with synchronised suicide blasts that killed at least 24 people in October 2008.
A court in Hargeisa has sentenced five men to death in absentia for the bombings, which struck the Ethiopian embassy, the local president’s office and a U.N. building. It said they were on the run in other parts of Somalia.
Somaliland, which has long sought international recognition as sovereign state, declared itself indepedent in 1991.
Source: Reuters, Sat Jan 9, 2010
Thanks to this brave Somaliland woman I think without her bravery things could have been different at the mosque. I think whoever was caught trying to commit this criminal act should be punished to the fullest law of the land which is death sentences. Before that he should be interrogated and find out who else were involved? As always thanks to brave Somaliland people who have always stood for peace in their motherland above anything else.
I totally agree with you Obsiye, thanks to Allah who sent us that brave woman, without her they would have killed a lot of innocent people, Somaliland needs to put securities on mosques and protect open minded Sheikhs or Imams who speak against the ill and satanic Al Shabab and their likes.
These guys are sick they will not spare anyone, men, women, children, students, imaams, anyone even animals.
Allah is with Somaliland.
Dear all citizens of Somaliland,
I would beg all citizens to stop arguements and concentrate to fight our enemies. These enemies are not muslims and have another religion, because they destroy mosques, kill innocent muslims and do not want children to go to schools. Please discuss issues do not threaten each other for political differences. To defeat those we want different islam are our enemies.
Regards
It could be the Tigray government in Addis Ababa who want to create chaos in Somaliland, the perpetrator was an Oromo man. Theres too many Oromo refugees in Somaliland, majority of them are good people but some could be secret agents while others are just strange people as whole.
Let's do the research and find the facts, I suspect Al Shabab and Tigray-land (Meles).
It could be the Tigray government in Addis Ababa who want to create chaos in Somaliland, the perpetrator was an Oromo man. Theres too many Oromo refugees in Somaliland, majority of them are good people but some could be secret agents while others are just strange people as whole.
Let's do the research and find the facts, I suspect Al Shabab and Tigray-land (Meles).
Why???????????????????????????????????????????
There are too many refugees in Somaliland majority from Mogadisho and Oromo the government need to send them back to their countries for security reasons
This woman deserves an Honorary Medal for her bravery! She saw the illegal activity this criminal, understood what he was up to and didn't waste time to reported it. Well done, sister, we owe you one and thank you for your insight and quick action. We all know that the result would have been completely different.
A brave Somaliland woman, rag iyo dumarba Somaliland dad nool baa u dhashay.
Bal eeg fulaynimada iyo nacasnimada kuwii doonayey in ay wax qarxiyaan, qof dumar ah ayaa cagta u saartay, waar kuwaas oo kale Somaliland waxba kama qaadayaan..