Rival Islamist hawiye groups unite in central Somalia

Forces loyal to the Islamic Courts Union-Asmara faction [i.e Alliance for the Reliberation of Somalia](habargidir wing) in the Hiran Region hawadle wing [central Somalia] have united with the [Islamist] Al-Shabab forces. The Islamic Courts forces in Beled Weyne [capital of Hiran Region] led by Sheikh Shuriye Ali Nur joined with the Al-Shabab movement in central Somalia.A ceremony for the union of the two forces was held today in Beled Weyne followed by a press conference. Sheikh Ali Shuriye told the Shabeelle Media Network that his group recognized the need to join the Mujahidin of Al-Shabab. Shaykh Ali Dhere of the Al-Shabab also told Mareeg that from now onwards the two factions would be known as the Great Organization of the Al-Shabab, and were united to remove the enemy (?Ethiopians) from the country.In the past, forces loyal to the Islamic Courts who were independent from the Alliance for the Reliberation of Somalia have joined with Al-Shabab.
This is the second time that forces from the Islamic Courts have joined the Al-Shabab.