Somali leader of Hisbul Islam Dahir Aweys was falsely reported wounded or killed in fighting in the capital of Mogadishu. Hisbul Islam and al-Shabab have vowed to topple the Transitional Federal Government that is backed by the US and AMISOM.
Originally uploaded by Pan-African News Wire File Photos
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Reuters
MOGADISHU -- Somali insurgent group Hizbul Islam seized the pirate haven of Haradheere on Sunday without a fight and pledged to take control of more towns in the region, the rebel group said.
Haradheere, and Hobyo further up the coast, are two of the main bases for pirates operating out of Somalia. The gunmen have made tens of millions of dollars by hijacking merchant vessels, bringing them to the coast and demanding ransoms.
So far, neither Hizbul Islam nor al-Qaida-linked al Shabaab rebels have been directly involved in piracy, a business that has flourished in the absence of strong government and any rule of law in the Horn of Africa nation.
"Our Mujahideen fighters are in Haradheere now, they will cross into the other towns in the region," Sheikh Mohamed Osman Arus, Hizbul Islam spokesman, told Reuters.
He denied the group wanted to get involved in piracy.
Pirates in Haradheere, however, said Hizbul Islam sent agents to the coastal town demanding a slice of the business a few days ago, but the pirates refused.
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