Somalia Claims Al
Qaeda Enters From Yemen
The
Somali government has said at least twelve al Qaeda members have
crossed from Yemen into Somalia in the last two weeks.
They were reported to be bringing money and military expertise
to Somali rebels battling the Western-backed government.
Treasury Minister, Abdirahman Omar Osman said he had been
briefed by Somalia's intelligence agencies about the situation.
‘Safe haven’
Osman said there were indications that al Qaeda may move its
biggest military bases to southern Somalia since they are facing
a lot of pressure in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Western and regional intelligence agencies have long feared that
Somalia's porous borders and lack of a strong central government
could make the nation a safe haven for militants looking to
attack the region and beyond.
Osman, who said the group brought money to al Shabaab who had
been facing difficulties to recruit more fighters because of
cash shortages, did not say who the al Qaeda members were or
their positions in the organisation.
New security concerns
Al Qaeda in Yemen jumped to the forefront of Western security
concerns after a Yemen-based regional wing claimed
responsibility for a failed attack on a U.S.-bound jet in
December.
Somalia's al Qaeda-linked al Shabaab rebels are waging a deadly
insurgency against the transitional government headed by a
former rebel and are intent on imposing a harsh version of
Sharia Islamic law throughout the nation.
Somalia's current government, backed by African Union
peacekeepers has been unable to take control of the sea-side
capital from insurgent groups.
REUTERS/Williams/Yinka
