ZCZC
BFF-49
SOMALIA-RELIGION-ATTACK
Islamist militants kill 15 at Sufi shrine in Somalia
MOGADISHU, Nov 26, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – At least 15 people were killed and
ten others wounded in the central Somali town of Galkayo on Monday when
Shabaab militants attacked a Sufi religious centre, officials said.
The attack on the residential compound and shrine, home to a controversial
Sufi cleric and his followers, took place early Monday while residents were
still asleep.
“The attackers used a vehicle loaded with explosives to make their way
into the compound before shooting indiscriminately at people inside,” said
Abdirahman Mohamed, a security officer, adding that 15 people had been killed
and 10 wounded.
“The targeted cleric was killed in the attack together with some of his
followers,” Mohamed said.
Qoje Ahmed, another security official, said security forces had battled
the attackers, who included four gunmen and a suicide bomber. He said one had
been captured alive.
“The blast was very huge,” said witness Jamila Farah. “It destroyed most
buildings in the compound.”
Somalia’s Al-Qaeda affiliate, the Shabaab, claimed responsibility for the
attack saying it had targeted the cleric, Abdiweli Ali Elmi, alleging that he
“had claimed to be a prophet”.
The group is fighting to overthrow the internationally-backed government
in Mogadishu and to impose an austere from of Islamic rule.
It regularly carries out bloody bombings and assaults against government,
military and civilian targets.
Elmi was a controversial Sufi leader who had set up his own breakaway sect
in Galkayo, attracting hundreds of followers who would play music and sing
songs in praise of the Prophet Mohamed, a form or worship abhorred by the
Shabaab.
BSS/AFP/BZC/1825HRS