Al-Ba’ath, newspaper of the Syrian Ba’ath Party (in Arabic), pg. 5

(Interview given to Abd al-Karim Sad by Somali Salvation Front Secretary General Col Abdallah Yusuf al-Amin during his visit to Syria; date and place not given)

[Question] Shall we begin by discussing the popular forces which comprise the Somali Salvation Front and the front’s basic aims?

[Answer] The Somali Salvation Front is an independent national organization comprising all factions of the people as well as most political tendencies in Somalia. Its basic aim is to struggle relentlessly and continuously against the existing regime, led by the dictator Siad Barre, and to topple it by armed struggle.

Our revolutionaries have been staging constant military operations against this regime and our aim is to hit all the soft spots so as to shake the foundations of Siad Barre’s entity. We have succeeded in triggering an armed popular revolution against the regime preparatory to crushing it and ridding the Somali people of it.

Our revolutionaries are daily attacking most of the regime’s important positions and scoring victories over its forces. We have been pursuing a popular armed war in striking at the positions of the despot Siad Barre. The front has been able to build a national army whose strength is growing daily.

Our army has staged various operations in most Somali towns. The front also has a radio station which broadcasts daily programs and talks to the Somali people and directs their struggle in a correct and accurate manner. In addition to armed struggle, our front is waging a political struggle to win friends and allies so that we will triumph and overthrow Siad Barre’s regime.

[Question] Can you tell us something about the current situation in Somalia as seen by the Salvation Front?

[Answer] For a long time now, Somalia has been subjected to a fascist government led by Siad Barre, who has tried to set the national forces on a course that does not serve our people or achieve any victory for them. Barre has led a group of military men which has violated all principles, trampled all public liberties underfoot and abolished all constitutions and laws beneficial to the people.

Regarding foreign policy, Siad Barre’s regime has flung itself into the lap of American imperialism and has thrown the interests of the homeland and the people over the wall. It has allied itself with the enemies of the Arab nation, offered extensive facilities to the United States and permitted it to establish military bases in the country. It has severed its relations with the socialist states and the Soviet Union and all the progressive forces in the world. As a result of this, it can be said that Siad Barre’s regime is now experiencing stifling isolation and facing numerous internal problems. It is also surrounded by the national popular support. It is ruling the country by fire and steel, terror and domination without democracy.

[Question] By flinging himself into the lap of imperialism, Siad Barre has undoubtedly added many new burdens to your load. How does your front view the solution?

[Answer] The imperialist presence represented by the emergence of large military bases on Somalia’s soil has affected our struggle. It is true that the target of these American military bases is the Horn of Africa and the Middle East in general but, at the same time, they are ready to hit the Somali liberation movements and to protect the ruling military clique in Somalia.

However, we are sure that we will triumph over Barre’s regime and its American allies. The will of our people is stronger than their weapons. The shah of Iran is the best example of a despot’s weakness when faced with popular wrath, irrespective of how strong the despot’s arsenal is.

Therefore, the Salvation Front and all its masses must mount an earnest, strong and concentrated struggle against the American bases and all forms of American presence in the country. It would not be surprising if our masses are able to oust the American imperialist soldiers from Somali territory, because the will of the people is stronger than all weapons.

[Question] What is your attitude toward the governments in Cairo, Baghdad and Amman?

[Answer] Our attitude is well known. It is the same as the attitudes of Syria and all Arab progressive forces, particularly the Steadfastness and Confrontation Front. Our people in Somalia and all the Arab people are experiencing the same pains and hopes. We are all struggling against a common enemy who is assuming many forms.

As-Sadat is not different from Siad Barre. [Iraqi President] Saddam and [Jordanian King] Husayn are the same as the ruling clique in Somalia. They are all dominated by American imperialism. The ruler of Egypt, for example, has been sending various arms to Siad Barre’s regime to enable this dictator to crush the Somali liberation movements in the country.

We wish he had presented weapons to the Somali people to enhance their strength and capability. On the other hand, Jordan is playing a conspiratorial role against our people in Somalia. The king of Jordan has often called for material and moral support to be given to “Muslim” President Siad Barre. Saddam concluded agreements with the shah of Iran, who was famous for his barbarism and injustice toward the people of Iran.

When the people’s revolution erupted in Iran, Saddam went to war against the revolutionary guards. On the basis of all this, we see that these different faces constitute one image, whose purpose is to serve imperialism and Zionism and whose primary task is to suppress liberation movements, wherever they may be.