Hiiraan Online
Thursday, September 1, 2016
Al Shabaab spokesperson Ali Mohamed Raage, also known as Sheikh Ali Dheere. FILE PHOTO
MOGADISHU (HOL) - Al Shabaab spokesman, Ali Mohamed Raage (Sheikh Ali Dheere) warned the Somali populace to avoid making national ID cards.
In his address, Ali Dheere said that the ID is a conspiracy tool to be used against the Somali people. It is believed to be the first time Al Shabaab took umbrage at the issuing of ID cards.
“We tell the people of Mogadishu and the others not to be deceived and obtain those ID cards”, he warned. “The objectives behind those ID cards is to obtain sensitive information of Muslims and share it with the non-Muslims’.
Al Shabaab warned that they would be targeting the ID issuing centers.
He also spoke of the recent attack on the SYL Hotel in Mogadishu. He said that the building was targeted because of a meeting being held by members of parliament and government officials. He pegged the death toll at 40 and counted 70 injured.
He also warned civilians to avoid visiting restaurants and hotels in Mogadishu that is frequented by government officials.
Al Shabaab, a radical extremist group, is seen by many analysts in stepping up attacks against the Somali government in a bid to disrupt the upcoming parliamentary and presidential elections.