"Things began to heat up when the Abu Daalib brigade, which is under the leadership of Mukhtar Robow Abu Mansoor of the Rahanweyn clan, started to dictate to the Marehan leaders of Al Shabaab, who had different plans for fighting," a high-ranking Al Shabaab source in Gedo told Somalia Report.
Another source close to Al Shabaab told Somalia Report that the five, all from Gedo region, opposed the decision to attack the border region of Elwak, which is currently under the control of pro-government militia trained in Kenya. The same source said these men were suspected of having links to Transitional Federal Government (TFG) leaders from the Marehan clan in the area.
Al Shabaab's Gedo governor, speaking on a local radio station, said among the men fired were a senior army commander, and the regional external affairs coordinator.
One of the sacked officials, who did not wish to be named, would not confirm the cause of the dispute, calling it "a matter for the Mujahidin".
According to TFG army sources, including senior army commander Aadan Arile, the dispute was caused when seven Al Shabaab fighters defected to pro-government forces in Elwak.
"I think these men (the sacked leaders) were thought to have arranged the defection of the fighters who came to our side," he said.
He added that bankruptcy and misuse of funds was believed to have caused divisions in Al Shabaab's regional forces, and called on other members of the insurgent group to come over to the government side.
An official from pro-government militia Ahlu Sunna Waljama in the town of Beled Hawo said the lack of a clear strategy as government forces continue to mount offensives across the country is leading to rifts in Al Shabaab. Few expect the rift to expand to breaking point, but believe it could have negative implications for Al Shabaab movements and operations in the region, or even lead to more Marehan fighters defecting.
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Basically there is feud between Al-Shabaab in Gedo, which could cause more Marehan soldiers to join the government troops.
I welcome this rift between Al-Shabaab, as it will make the government troops in Gedo more stronger, this will unite Beesha Sade and secure our region. Guul Insha’allah.
