Al-Shabab stages demo in support of its merger with Al Qa'idah

Somalia's radical Islamists of Al-Shabab fighters today held a demo in support of their recent merger with Al Qa'idah in localities on Mogadishu's outskirts and Lower Shabeelle Region, southern Somalia, privately-owned Radio Simba reported on 13 Feb.

According to the radio, residents in Calamada, Hawo Abdi, Ceelasha Biyaha and Lafoole localities of Mogadishu outskirts held demonstrations in support of Al-Shabab's merger with Al Qa'idah. Supporters in Marka town, Lower Shabeelle Region, also held similar demo.

"Al-Shabab commanders are said to have ordered residents in those areas to close their business premises and education centers in order to take part the demonstratios", added the source.

This is coming at a time that heads of Al Qa'idah and Somalia Al-Shabab fighters declared that they had officially merged and called on their fighters to intensify the fighting and suicide explosion attacks against Somalia's government and its allies in the country.