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2012-02-08 Africa North
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Al-Shabaab Fighters on the Run
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Source:- Somalia Report : has learned that at least 10 skiffs have left from Qandala region in the semi-autonomous region of Puntland, heading westward along the coast with the expected destination of an al-Qaeda held port in Yemen or to rendevous with Sheik Atams group in southern Somaliland. Qandala is a popular transit point for human smugglers but a minor pirate base of operations.
The skiffs were reported to be have left from Marka and are being refueled in Hafun, after which they intend to continue north and westward along the tip of Somalia. The governor of Karkaar region, Abdi Quraan Mohamed Aden was contacted this evening and confirmed that the al Shabaab group arrived in Hafun on Friday. Puntland official have sent police to the coast. It is still not clear if the skiffs separated or if the entire group that left Marka are the terrorists currently in Hafun. They are still in Hafun. They arrived there yesterday (Friday), said the governor. The appearance of al Shabaab from the sea is not new but the number of fleeing jihadis is unusually large.
Dabayla Gor, the Governor of Sanaag region told Somalia Report, We heard that a number of al-Shabaab fighters arrived in Puntland by speed boats. We believe that they are planning to arrive into the Al-Madow mountains and will hide in Galgala to join with militants led by Mohamed Said Atam. The Governor of was not sure of the number of insurgents but recalled a similar event. It should be noted that Puntland does not have air assets or maritime presence. Their security forces must travel by rudimentary roads taking over 20 hours to reach the coastal areas.
Months before a group of al-Shabaab fighters passed through Hafun, Qandal and Bargaal to near Laqoraay district to joing Atoms group. It happens sometimes but we fight against them, said Dabayla Gor. He estimated that the latest influx was a large number based on the reports he was getting.
Elders in Qandala believe that approximately 80 fighters are enroute to Mulaax Beyle near Xiss in Sanaag, on the coast of the breakaway region of Somaliland. This would put the fleeing fighters close to their expected final destination of Zinjabar, Yemen, a port partially held by al-Qaeda militants. It is around 170 miles or or 275 kms across the Gulf of Aden, and ships must pass across the Transit Corridor which is occasionally manned by about half a dozen naval escorts.
Although it is yet unknown whether pirate networks in Qandala provided the militants with fuel or other supplies, it would be the first proven instance of a pirate organization giving direct support to terrorist elements. Preliminary phone calls to the pirate groups by Somalia Reportindicate that the skiffs contain only al-Shabaab elements and that no pirate or smuggling group is involved. There have been no independent confirmation of these statements.
Somalia Report received reports that al-Shabaab and al-Qaeda fighters had left the southern port of Marka earlier this week in 14 small speedboats heading northwards along the coast. Although local skiffs can easily be fueled to transit the Gulf of Aden, the voyage would necessitate stopping to purchase fuel from local communities, where it would be difficult to disguise the identities of the passengers. Al-Shabaab and al-Qaeda members have frequently travelled along with supplies, between Yemen and the Sanaag region. 
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Posted by Steve White 2012-02-08 08:51||
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Posted by bman 2012-02-08 10:00||
2012-02-08 10:00||
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Posted by Bill Clinton 2012-02-08 15:42||
2012-02-08 15:42||
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Posted by Shimble Guelph5793 2012-02-08 16:14||
2012-02-08 16:14||
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Posted by Ebbang Uluque6305 2012-02-08 16:21||
2012-02-08 16:21||
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