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Somalia launches offensive against al-Shabaab forces
Thousands of Somalis on Sunday poured into the city’s sports stadium to protest last Tuesday’s vicious truck bombing by the al-Qaida-linked al-Shabab. The Somali president, Sheik Sharif Sheik Ahmed, spoke at the rally, calling al-Shabab “religious thugs.”
“We have to retaliate against them for burning our people to death. Somalis fought colonialists before and al-Shabab is a new colonialist,” the president said to loud applause.
Under tight security, the protesters waved Somalia’s blue flag as the national anthem pulsated through the stadium. Al-Shabab, mimicking the Taliban regime of Afghanistan in the 1990s, has forbidden music in areas under its control.
“They are not Muslims. They are misinterpreting the religion and have made our blood their business!” said Zaynab Ali, a protester. “They don’t even spare students. We need no more patience, but to kill and fight them. Down with al-Shabab!”
Last week’s attack was not the first time the insurgents targeted students seeking an education that could better the country. In December 2009 a suicide bomber attacked a graduation ceremony for medical students in Mogadishu. The area struck by Tuesday’s truck bomb was near several government ministries, including the Ministry of Education.
“They killed our students to prevent them from being educated and serving their country,” said Mohamed Ahmed Nor, Mogadishu’s mayor. “We are not deterred by their terror acts, and our young men will continue to learn and still go abroad to learn.”
The attacks and battles with al-Shabab come as the Horn of Africa nation continues to suffer through its worst drought in 60 years. Tens of thousands of Somalis have already perished. The U.N. says more than 750,000 are at risk of starvation in the next several months.
Copyright 2011 The Associated Press.
