Somali Jihad Update from Garowe Online, with thanks to James:
MOGADISHU, Somalia Nov 7 (Garowe Online) – A former Somali president has announced that he is ready to wage jihad against Ethiopian troops who have invaded Somalia, joining Islamist calls and demonstrations for such fight.
Abdiqassim Salat Hassan, who was elected as Somali president in 2000, said that it is “compulsory” upon every Somali citizen to defend the nation against Ethiopian aggression.
This is in line with Islamic theology, which declares that if a Muslim land is attacked (or, in practice, if it can be convincingly portrayed as having been attacked), defensive jihad becomes fard ayn, or obligatory personally on every believer.
“I am ready”¦to fight jihad against Tigre troops who have invaded Somalia,” said the former Somali leader in an interview with Mogadishu-based radio.
Witnesses and analysts have confirmed the presence of Ethiopian troops inside Somalia, even though Addis Ababa only admits that it sent a “few hundred” armed military trainers to back the Baidoa-based interim government.