Somalis Welcome Defeat of al-Shabaab Islamists

Somalis are celebrating reports of the defeat of the Islamic fundamentalist group al-Shabab after several members of their fighters were killed Sunday in fierce clashes in central Somalia. Al-Shabab, described as by Washington as a terrorist organization, clashed with Islamist group Ahlu Sunna Waljamaca for control of central Somalia as Ethiopian troops began their crucial withdrawal. Several al-Shabab militant fighters were reported killed and their weapons seized. Sheik Abdulkarim Risak is a senior officer of the Islamic group Ahlu Sunna Waljamaca. He tells reporter Peter Clottey that his fighters will continue fighting al-Shabab until they are flushed out of Somalia."As you already know, early in the morning they (al-Shabab) came from different places to Gruael. You know, most of the Somalis call them al-Shabab, but in the Somali language we say they are al-Shaar because they are evil really. They come fighting in different places and killed a lot of people, but Allah willing, we saved our people and we pushed them back some kilometers," Risak noted.He said his Ahlu Sunna Waljamaca fighters would continue to protect mainstream defenseless Somalis."We are defending ourselves. We are defending our wives. And we are defending our religion. Our religion prohibits Muslims fighting among ourselves, and you know, these people are not Muslims at all. They are foreign fighters, and I think they are al-Qaeda. But al-Qaeda is not functioning here in Somalia," he said.Risak said his group is full of devout Muslims who pleaded with al-Shabab not to attack them, but claims that was not heeded. more..http://voanews.com/english/Africa/2009-01-12-voa2.cfm