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Somalia: Defense minister says no factional group in Kismayo
Tue. January 02, 2007 06:06 am. -
Mohamed Abdi Farah
Bare Hirale |
(SomaliNet) Defense minister of the transitional federal government, colonel Bare Aden Shire known as ‘Bare Hirale’ has ruled out the existence of the former Juba Valley Alliance. This announcement came after he returned to his former Base in the southern port city of Kismayo 500 km (310 miles) of the capital.
In an interview with the local media overnight, Col. Bare Hirale said the government has the responsibility of the region after the ouster of Islamic Courts Union from south and central Somalia.
Yesterday, government troops led by Bare Hirale along with heavy armed Ethiopian forces with tanks had rolled into the city of Kismayo after the Islamic leaders and their fighters abandoned there heading towards unknown destination.
“The former JVA is nothing here and is not functioning right now in the region but the government is taking the role of introducing peace and stability in the region,” said bare Hirale.
He said the government is offering an amnesty to all Islamist militia and would be provided trainings to join the national forces. This came afte government representatives met with some of the regional elders.
“I am asking all the militiamen who were misled by the Islamists to go back to Kismayo and lay the weapons so as to be given army training,” Bare said adding that the government will give care to the militiamen.
Bare Hirale, former warlord in southern regions of Somalia, had left Kismayo on 24 September 2006 when then powerful Islamic Courts took control of the city and spread to populated areas in the region.
Mr. Bare lost another fight back with the Islamists in Middle Juba region in southern Somalia where many members of his militia were killed or wounded, and he escaped narrowly.
Now, after two months of heavy and bloody clashes with the Islamic radicals, he got a chance to return to his former base in Lower Juba, southern Somalia.
Colonel Bare Hirale is expected to deliver speech to the people in Kismayo on Tuesday telling them about the government’s policy.
In Kismayo, the situation resumed in its normalcy as people welcomed the joint forces of Somalia and Ethiopia. Smokers could be seen smoking cigarettes fearlessly on the streets. The ousted Islamists banned tobacco and Khat, the most imported popular leafy consumed in Somalia.
News Category: Somalia
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