Somali MPs: Islamists’ unification will not affect us also Al shabaab Detains Somali farmers in southern Somalia

Somali parliamentarians on Monday said that Hizbul Islam’s joining to al shabaab movement will never have any affects on them as Al shabaab doubles its combats against Somali government and African Union peacekeepers in the Somali capital Mogadishu.

Mohammed Omar, Somali MP, told Shabelle, a Mogadishu based FM radio, that the works of Somali parliament will not be stopped by the step which one of main Islamist groups in Somali have decided to merge with what he called Al shabaab militants.

Mr. Omar said this move will have a great consequence on Al shabaab, and they lastly collapse.

Ali Mohamoud Seeko, another Somali lawmaker has said that the last fighting of removing and clearing Islamists from throughout bullet-ridden Somalia is to start in the days to come.

The statements of Somali parliamentarians come as daily Al shabaab led fighting against Somali government and AMISOM forces in Mogadishu is continuing to rage.

Al shabaab Detains Somali farmers in southern Somalia 

Fighters loyal to Al shaabab movement have arrested at least 5 Somali farmers in Mahaday district in Middle Shabelle region in southern Somalia, local residents said on Tuesday.

Somali farmers were arrested after refusing to heed to al shabaab calls to sell their farms to businessmen, according to witnesses in the district. Locals said businessmen, who have close ties with Al shabaab, were behind the detention of those people. A farmer in Mahaday district, who asked his not be used by media, said the detained farmers were severely tortured by Al shabaab movement.
He added that a number local farmers have started to flee from the region of Middle Shabelle where Al shabaab tightly controls. The group has yet to comment on these charges.