Once again we see Islamic jihadists explain their actions with reference to Islamic jihad theology — in the reference to the car bomber as a “mujahid.” This is so routine as hardly to invite comment, except that it becomes noteworthy due to the steadfast refusal of Western analysts to face it and its implications.
“Somali Islamist militants attack hotel in central region,” from Reuters, March 18 (thanks to Maxwell):
MOGADISHU: Somali Islamist militants drove a car bomb at a hotel in a town in central Somalia that was being used by African Union and Somali military forces, a resident and the militant group said.
The al-Qaida-linked al-Shabaab movement said that its raid on Monday claimed many lives, but poor communications to that region of the Horn of Africa nation, a country wracked by fighting for more than two decades, made it difficult to verify numbers.
The insurgent strike followed an attack on a military convoy near the capital Mogadishu on Monday which killed four Somali soldiers, an army captain said.
The AU peacekeeping force AMISOM, now bigger after Ethiopian troops joined this year, has launched an offensive to clear more territory still held by al-Shabaab rebels. The Islamists have responded with more guerrilla assaults.
Hussein Nur, a resident in Bulobarde town, said a car bomb exploded late on Monday at the Camalow hotel, and this was followed by fighting between troops and militants that lasted several hours. He was speaking on Tuesday morning, but his line cut before he could provide further details.
AMISOM could not immediately be reached for comment.
“First, a mujahid (holy warrior) with a car bomb entered the hotel, followed by two well-armed fighters who sprayed bullets,” said Sheikh Abdiasis Abu Musab, Al-Shabaab’s military operation spokesman, told Reuters on Tuesday.
He said 32 soldiers were killed.
In the past, al-Shabaab has exaggerated numbers while officials have downplayed losses….