Somalia's al-Shabab in deadly feud

[Titanium]

Heavy fighting has taken place between rival factions of Somalia's militant Islamist group al-Shabab near the key coastal town of Brava, witnesses say.

Six militants, including two foreigners, were killed in the gun-battle at dawn, they told the BBC.

Al-Shabab denied there had been any fighting within its ranks.

If confirmed, these would be the first clashes between rival factions of the al-Qaeda linked group since it launched an insurgency in 2006.

On Wednesday, at least 15 people were killed in an attack by al-Shabab on the UN offices in the capital, Mogadishu.

Its fighters detonated a car bomb, before engaging in a fierce battle with security guards in the UN compound.

Residents say Brava is tense following the gun-battle between rival factions on the outskirts of the town, some 220km (140 miles) down the coast from Mogadishu.

Al-Shabab has turned Brava into one of its main bases after losing control of many other towns and cities to African Union (AU) and government troops.

The exact cause of the clashes is not known, but there has been a long-running power struggle within al-Shabab involving its leader Ahmed Abdi Godane and ex-spokesman Muktar Ali Robow, analysts say.

Mr Robow is said to be more moderate than Mr Godane, and opposes links with al-Qaeda, they say.

However, al-Shabab spokesman Ali Dheere dismissed reports of the fighting in Brava as "propaganda" and "lies".

The group was united, he added.

Al-Shabab, which means "The Youth", is fighting to create an Islamic state in Somalia.

It was formed in 2006 as a radical offshoot of the now-defunct Union of Islamic Courts, which at the time controlled Mogadishu and many southern and central areas.

Some 18,000 African Union troops are in Somalia supporting the government of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud who was elected by MPs last September.

His administration is the first one in more than two decades to be recognised by the US and the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-22988404

[FarhanYare]

yes.. this is where all there strength should be diverted to not on some innocent farax or xalimo trynna make a living..

[grandpakhalif]

I love how the western media loves to boast about infighting between fellow muslims, anyways if this story true AUN all the ones who perished, they have fish to fry like foreigners and their Somali slaves.

[Titanium]

I love it when I hear extremist Salaafiya fight. Maybe this was a case of calling each other "kafir" and it got escalated. The extremist Salaafiya have sects within themselves. That's all they can do. Fight. Al Shabab I can bet you haven't even opened a school. My bad. They have opened up terrorist schools.

May Al Shabab destroy itself. Ameen.

[grandpakhalif]

extremist salfiyah extremist salifayah destroy terrorist blah blah blah what a broken record.

[Titanium]

Go blow yourself up you terrorist.

[AbdiWahab252]

Suspicious news. The reports of their demise have been greatly exaggerated. Until we get a Suufi President, a Shia Prime Minister and an Ahmediya Speaker of Parliament, Sunni terror will never be defeated.

[metamorphosis]

May allah destroy these terrorists! I hope they kill each other off one by one until none of them remains!

[FarhanYare]

grandpa,
you are one naive individual, alshabaab are after someone like you why dont you join them

[FarhanYare]

waxeey ku leyihiin we are trynna jihad on disbelievers but what disabelievers are they targeting when 95% of those they kill pray salat, are god fearing people..

[Colonel]

May allah destroy these terrorists! I hope they kill each other off one by one until none of them remains!

HSM can be useful to Jubbaland. The SFG has no problem instagating warfare in Kismayo therefore let the extremist youth give them trouble in Burundisho. Meanwhile it gives us more breathing room and the chance to strengthen our Administration & defense forces.