Video Shows Arabs Fighting in Somalia

[Eugene]

July 5, 2006, 4:57PM
Video Shows Arabs Fighting in Somalia

By CHRIS TOMLINSON Associated Press Writer
© 2006 The Associated Press

NAIROBI, Kenya — A recruiting video issued by members of the fundamentalist
Islamic movement in Somalia shows Arab radicals fighting alongside the local
extremists in Mogadishu, and invites Muslims from around the world to join
in their "holy jihad."

The video, obtained by The Associated Press, provides the first hard evidence
that non-Somalis have joined with Islamic extremists in Somalia.

<snip>

Aweys, speaking on Somali radio over the weekend, said his movement had no
contacts with bin Laden or al-Qaida. He also rejected accusations that foreign
fighters were in Somalia.

But the video, shot on a handheld recorder, shows Arab fighters preparing
for a major battle on the northern outskirts of Mogadishu. Arabic anthems and
poetry play on the audio track urging Muslims to join the global holy war
to advance Islam and defeat its enemies.

<snip>

Full article: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/world/4026573.html

[soothsayer]

1. We took the arab side in Bosnia. Whose side are we on in this?

It's so confusing...!

[Eugene]

2. Somali Islamist says 'foreign fighter' video untrue

Somali Islamist says 'foreign fighter' video untrue
07 Jul 2006 13:21:25 GMT
Source: Reuters

DUBAI, July 7 (Reuters) - Somalia's hardline Islamist leader said a video
purportedly showing foreigners fighting alongside local militants was
fabricated to discredit his newly powerful movement, according to remarks
published on Friday.

A potentially explosive video circulating in Mogadishu this week appears
to show foreign radicals alongside local Islamist militiamen during recent
battles to expel U.S.-backed warlords from the Somali capital.

<snip>

"This tape is fabricated and fraudulent and aims to harm the reputation
of the Islamic Courts," Sheikh Hassan Dahir Aweys told London-based Asharq
al-Awsat daily.

<snip>

Aweys, who is on a U.N. and a U.S. terrorism list, said there were no Arabs
or foreigners among the ranks of the Islamist militia, the newspaper reported.

<snip>

Full article: http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L07899302.htm