Somalia: Ahlu Sunnah militia capture explosives vehicle

[galia]

GURI EL, Somalia Oct 13 (Garowe Online) - Militias loyal to the Islamist group Ahlu Sunnah Wal Jamee'a have said that they captured a vehicle full of weapons and explosives, Radio Garowe reports.

Sheikh Abdirisak Ashari, spokesman for the Ahlu Sunnah militia, told a Monday press conference in the town of Guri El that they arrested several men driving the vehicle.

"The vehicle we captured came from Mogadishu, and the weapons included mortars," said Sheikh Ashari, adding that he will present to the media soon.

He blamed Somali insurgent groups Al Shabaab and Hizbul Islam for planning to stage attacks in areas controlled by Ahlu Sunnah militia, who have seized control of Galgadud region from the insurgents.

Sheikh Ashari, who refused to answer journalists' questions, said that they recently sentenced an unknown number of men to one-year terms for "conspiracy to overthrow" the Ahlu Sunnah administration in parts of central Somalia.

Ahlu Sunnah militia entered Somali politics in late 2008 after fighting against Al Shabaab control of Dhusamareb and Guri El towns in Galgadud.

Source: Garowe Online