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Al Shabaab militants have banned residents from using smartphones in Lower Shabelle, a region south of Somalia’s capital Mogadishu.

Residents who declined to be named for security reasons say that no person from the general public is allowed to use smartphones.

“Use of iPhones and Samsung Galaxy is strictly prohibited,” one resident said.

He added that a public notice by the militants warned that any person found using iPhones would be punished. He did not elaborate the kind of punishment offenders would face.

Residents who talked to local media indicated the militants also gave reasons for banning the specified devices.

The militants are said to have been aware that some people used the devices to watch films.

“We cannot allow people using such phones for illicit motives,” said one public pronouncement.

Some residents, however, indicated that the Al-Shabaab loyalists suspect that some people may be using the phones with advanced memory capacities to spy on the militants’ operations by taking films, photos or sending messages.

“Al-Shabaab commanders in districts in Lower Shabelle region like Barawe and Qoryioley announced that they only allow the early models of the mobile phones that do not have extra memory for watching films or browsing websites,” a resident said.

He added, “They only allow types of phones perhaps used ten years ago, locally known as tooshle or niic.”
The militants, who are also loyal to Al-Qaeda group, had earlier prohibited people from watching televisions connected to satellite dishes in areas under their control.

They especially banned people from using satellite TVs transmitting programmes in Somali language.

“The zealous loyalists ban the satellite TVs because they do not want to see news and programmes showing Al-Shabaab deserters testifying the reasons for abandoning the movement,” remarked one resident in Lower Shabelle region in Southern Somalia.

In areas under Al-Shabaab control, no radio is allowed to broadcast music. Businesses selling pictures, films or musical stuffs are also not allowed.

Watching or playing football is equally banned.

Since US drones or Special Commandos (from France and US) started targeting areas under Al-Shabaab control in southern and central Somalia, the militants have grown suspicious of the use of modern technology.
The latest operation against the Islamists occurred in October when the US claimed that its Special US Commandos conducted an attack over Shabab’s house in Barawe district, 200 kilometres south of Mogadishu.






this is just pure bullying/gumeysi.

Some residents, however, indicated that the Al-Shabaab loyalists suspect that some people may be using the phones with advanced memory capacities to spy on the militants’ operations by taking films, photos or sending messages.

I'm glad shabab isn't tech-savvy

waa wada geel jira yaal. But unfortunately the shabaab loyalist a handful of them are tech savvy

Shabab are control freaks, these niggas will tell you the shirt on your back is xaram.

WTF

Positive move by al-Shabaab.

postive move beel. This is pure bullying tactics employed by shabaabs on these innocent residents. If i lived in that particular town, i would've been the rebel (i wont tolerate that shyt, next thing you know they gonna say people shouldn't talk to each other its against the religion ).

The al-kabab leaders and foot soldiers watch porn movies. The same is true of al-qaeda, don't you remember the tones of movies siezed from OBL's compound when he was killed.

I think the ban has something to do with Western satellites beaming free wifi to the area so that collaborators upload picture, video and audio recordings of al-Shabaab.

iPhones, Galaxies, free wifi. Dadkaan maba ka qasno haye

All phones are capable of that not just smartphones. their better off eliminating all cellphones.

Arabman wrote:I think the ban has something to do with Western satellites beaming free wifi to the area so that collaborators upload picture, video and audio recordings of al-Shabaab.

nothing wrong with beaming free wifi to somali people. this is not N. Korea and Al-kabab is trying to make it the next N. Korea.

Actually, if I didn't trust the al shabaab, and didn't know better I would have supported this ban of smart phone. Shaytanlibans have a point, smart phone is dhembi. First, it preoccupies your time with social media, time which u would have used to do good deeds or read Quran. Second, U can access porn. Which is horrendous in the hands of shabaabs who are sex depraved. Third, just generally--a bunch of skinnies in the scotching heat of Africa holding smart phone and laughing to themselves is a bit too much to handle. I would support shabaabs for this banning but am afraid I don't support hypocrites. If u r going to use religion to control people and make them a good citizen, it is better u start by example first. Also, compassion should be present in any religion. Warning for mistakes should happen and followed by severe punishment if the lesson not learned. I detest religion being used for political bargain. For example, u cannot ban smart phone to the citizens and then u have a smart phone yourself-- chatting with arabs or your terrorist connections in the interested middle nations that support your shenanigans. Or use these same devices to solicit money from your qabil brethren in the west. No al sha-crap-- that will not work. Allaaah swt hates hypocrites the most.

This is up there with the banning women from wearing bras story.

Basra- wrote:Which is horrendous in the hands of shabaabs who are sex depraved.

Not really. The average Shabaab has at least 2 wives.