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Islamists Seize a New Settlement in Southern Region

Shabelle Media Network (Mogadishu)
NEWS
December 14, 2006
Posted to the web December 14, 2006

By Aweys Osman Yusuf
Mogadishu
Union of Islamic Courts fighters onboard trucks mounted with artillery and
antiaircraft guns have captured Salagle in Middle Jubba province, southern
Somalia. Reports say the Islamists fighters have come from Sakow within Middle
Jubba region.
Witnesses said they (Islamists) soon initiated preaching to residents and
telling them that all narcotics, including Khad were banned starting Thursday.
The banned items included smoking and tobacco.
The UIC has cracked on all types of drugs and Khad, a stimulant narcotic leaf,
in the capital Mogadishu on 15 November. They set sacks full of bundles of Khad
on fire, a decisive action that sparked violent demonstrations in which a 13
year-old boy was shot dead by an Islamist fighter.
Large number of people was flogged after they were found using opium and other
types of narcotics.
Daud Idle Mohamood the tribal chief of Salagle has told Shabelle by the phone
that Islamic Courts fighters have sized the settlement. "They (Islamists) said
they are going to impose the Islamic law on the residents of Salagle, but the
Islamic Courts have come here because we want them," he said.
An administration formed by the transitional government was functioning in
Salagle before Islamic Courts seized it today. This is the second government
administered settlements that fell to Islamic Courts.
Forces loyal to Islamic Courts headquartered in the Somali capital Mogadishu
have grabbed Ufurow settlement Wednesday. Ufurow is 90 km southwest of the
government base of Baidoa, and was under the control of the government.


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