Somali Jihad Update from AP: “Demonstrations turn violent in Somalia”
MOGADISHU, Somalia – Fears of regional conflict soared as angry demonstrations against Somalia’s radical Islamic militia grew Monday into deadly violence in a southern port city, and the militia for the first time acknowledged getting help from foreign Muslims.
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As it has established authority in the capital and across much of the south starting in June, the Islamic group’s strict interpretation of Islam has sparked comparisons with Afghanistan’s ousted Taliban. The United States has accused the Islamic group of sheltering suspects in the 1998 al-Qaida bombings of U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania. Al-Qaida chief Osama bin Laden has portrayed Somalia as a battleground in his war on the U.S.
Islamic militiamen wearing white headbands opened fire on several thousand people demonstrating against them in the port of Kismayo, 260 miles southwest of Mogadishu, killing a 13-year-old boy, said resident Abdiqadir Filibin.
Two other children were injured, witnesses said on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals. Sporadic gunfire could also be heard in other parts of the town.
The militia had seized Kismayo, one of the last remaining ports outside their control and Somalia’s third-largest city, on Sunday without a fight.
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Hassan Turki, leader of the Islamic militia, told a demonstration in support of his group in Kismayo earlier Monday that foreign militants were helping his fighters.
“They are your brothers in Islam,” Turki said.