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Hargeysa, Somaliland, July 11,
2009 (SL Times) – A group of about 40 young men were reported to have
left several Somaliland cities and joined radical groups fighting in
southern Somalia. This news became known when the parents of the young
men were contacted by their children from Kismyo, southern Somalia.
As confirmed to Haatuf, a Somali language newspaper, the young men whose
ages range from 16-19 left Somaliland’s cities of Las Anod, Buroa,
Hargeysa, Erigabo and other locations. The young men’s departure from
Somaliland to join terrorists in southern Somalia was facilitated by
individuals in Somaliland. This is not the first time that young men
were recruited from Somaliland to join terrorists in southern Somalia,
but this time the departure of the young men created a big problem
between the families of the young men in Las Anod and the individuals
suspected of facilitating their departure.
Since Somaliland government has not addressed the issue, it is not clear
whether Somaliland’s government is aware of the activities of the
individuals who are recruiting Somaliland youth.
Furthermore, there are reports that terrorists belonging to al-Shabab,
an al-Qaeda affiliated organization, are now based in eastern Sanag. The
leader of that terrorist contingent is a man with the nickname Atam, the
same man responsible for abducting last year a German national who
worked for GAA.
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