Dispute Over Taxes Turns Violent
Posted: Wed Nov 09, 2011 7:04 am
At least three al-Shabaab fighters were killed and more than five others injured when two factions of the insurgent groups fought in Bardale district of Bay region on Tuesday night, residents said.
The fierce fighting erupted when the two groups disagreed over taxes they received from local traders and cars passing travelling between Gedo and Bakol regions.
“The fighters divided into two groups: the group supporting the head of the police station, the other group supporting the chairman and the head of finance office,” a resident in Bardale told Somalia Report.
The casualties were rushed to a special hospital for the militia in Baidoa.
It is unusual for al-Shabaab fighters to kill each other over taxes. Such behavior is usually the preserve of pro-government forces.
Early on Wednesday, a large number of al-Shabaab officials, including the chairman of al-Shabaab in Bay and Bakol regions, began mediation to resolve the problem.
Meanwhile, al-Shabaab fighters arrested 15 people in Dinsor district of Bay region on Tuesday, accusing them of supporting Transitional Federal Government (TFG), Kenyan forces and pro-government militias of Ahlu Sunhah wal Jamaa (ASWJ).
According to local residents, the detained people, including women, religious leaders, elders and youths were taken to an al-Shabaab military camp in the outskirt of Dinsor.
http://www.somaliareport.com/index.php/ ... in_Infight
The fierce fighting erupted when the two groups disagreed over taxes they received from local traders and cars passing travelling between Gedo and Bakol regions.
“The fighters divided into two groups: the group supporting the head of the police station, the other group supporting the chairman and the head of finance office,” a resident in Bardale told Somalia Report.
The casualties were rushed to a special hospital for the militia in Baidoa.
It is unusual for al-Shabaab fighters to kill each other over taxes. Such behavior is usually the preserve of pro-government forces.
Early on Wednesday, a large number of al-Shabaab officials, including the chairman of al-Shabaab in Bay and Bakol regions, began mediation to resolve the problem.
Meanwhile, al-Shabaab fighters arrested 15 people in Dinsor district of Bay region on Tuesday, accusing them of supporting Transitional Federal Government (TFG), Kenyan forces and pro-government militias of Ahlu Sunhah wal Jamaa (ASWJ).
According to local residents, the detained people, including women, religious leaders, elders and youths were taken to an al-Shabaab military camp in the outskirt of Dinsor.
http://www.somaliareport.com/index.php/ ... in_Infight