MUST READ: FOREIGN FIGHTERS FACE OBSTACLES JOINING THE SOMALI JIHAD

Foreign Fighters Face Obstacles Joining the Somali Jihad
By Lydia Khalil

07/24/2007 - After their defeat in December 2006, Somalia's Islamic Courts Union (ICU) vowed to launch an Iraqi style insurgency against the invading Ethiopian forces. Al-Qaeda leaders supported their intentions. Both Osama bin Laden and Ayman al-Zawahiri issued statements calling on Muslims to help their Islamic brethren defend Somalis against the "crusader Ethiopians and Americans." In July 2006, bin Laden issued an audiotape, stating:

"We warn all the nations of the world not to agree to America's request to send international forces to Somalia. We swear to Allah that we will fight its soldiers on Somali soil, and we reserve the right to punish on their own soil, or anywhere else, at the appropriate time and in the appropriate manner. I urge all Muslim youth and businessmen to contribute generously, and to supply all of the jihad fighters' needs through reliable intermediaries, especially in Palestine, Iraq, Somalia, Afghanistan and Sudan"

(http://www.muslm.net).

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1) Foreign Fighters Face Obstacles Joining the Somali Jihad