On 8 May, a jihadist website posted an interview conducted with Shaykh Abu-Mansur, “Mukhtar Ali Robow,” the official spokesman for the Mujahidin Youth Movement of Somalia (aka Al-Shabaab), by the Global Islamic Media Front (GIMF) magazine, Sada al-Jihad.

In the interview, Shaykh Abu-Mansur talks about the progress of the jihad in Somalia and lists some mujahidin “victories.” He says that the jihad “has never surrendered to pressure and its will has never weakened.” He talks about US “campaigns of conspiracy” against Somalia and says it is an “honor” to be included on the US list of terrorist organizations.

Asked about Ethiopian, UN and AU forces in Somalia, Abu-Mansur says that he does not differentiate between them because “all of them are Crusader occupiers aiming at destroying our nation.” He says the Ethiopian Army “can neither continue their military occupation nor can they confront the mujahidin for long.”

He also discusses relations with other Somali groups, and says he would not attend a conference on Somalia held in another country. He says that the jihad in Somalia belongs to the “global jihadist movement” and calls for more foreign fighters to come to Somalia.

[Translation of interview]

Global Islamic Media Front — Sada al-Jihad magazine presents:

_{An interesting interview with leader Shaykh Abu-Mansur, Mukhtar Ali Rubu, may God protect him, the official spokesman for the Mujahidin Youth Movement of Somalia, Army of Al-Usrah [hardship], in Somalia.}

In the name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate.

Muslims in Somalia suffer from the crimes of the Ethiopian democrats and their apostate allies in the transitional government, who are supported by the aircraft of the democratic US that bombard the mujahidin, destroy houses on top of their inhabitants, and help the mercenary forces of the African Union. Reports of despicable massacres committed by the Crusader Ethiopian and US forces against civilians and mujahidin have been increasing. This is in addition to the involvement of the apostate Somalis and the mercenaries of the European Union in spilling Somali Muslim blood. Moreover, conferences are held with the aim of weakening the firebrand of the jihad and laying siege to the mujahidin.

“In order to learn about the status of the jihad and the mujahidin and find out the real situation, and to find out the stance of the Mujahidin Youth Movement toward the parties involved in the war against Muslims and toward those participating in the conferences which seek to restrain the mujahidin, the Sada al-Jihad magazine has conducted a press interview with leader Shaykh Abu-Mansur ‘Mukhtar Ali Rubu’, spokesman of the Mujahidin Youth Movement in Somalia – Army of Al-Usrah in Somalia:

[Abu-Bakr al-Qurashi, chief editor of Sada al-Jihad] Leader Shaykh Abu-Mansur, may God protect you. We ask God to grant you success and victory and to make you support His religion, raise the word of the truth, and implement His Shari’ah that had been revealed to His Prophet Muhammad, peace and prayers be upon him. We would like you to answer the questions of those who admire you from all over the world through the Sada al-Jihad magazine.

Could you please reassure us about the situation of the jihad, mujahidin, and monotheists in Somalia?

[Abu-Mansur] Praise be to God, Who said: ‘O ye who believe! If ye will aid (the cause of) Allah, He will aid you, and plant your feet firmly’ [Partial Koranic verse; Muhammad, 47:7]. Peace and prayers be upon God’s apostle, the prophet of battle and mercy, who said: ‘They have lied, now it is time to fight!! A group of my community will continue to fight in the cause of God, not being harmed by those who disappoint them. God will let the hearts of some people swerve for their sake. They will remain fighting until the Day of Resurrection. Blessing is in the forelocks of horses until the Day of Resurrection.’ Narrated by Al-Nasa’i and Ahmad on the authority of Salamah Bin-Nufayl.

Thereafter: We assure our Muslim brothers and beloved companions who march alongside us on the path of jihad, that God has granted the people of Somalia many bounties that many other people in other places do not have. God has utilized the people of Somalia for the service of Islam to revive His religion. He assigned to them the great duty of jihad, which is at the top of the hump of Islam. The doors of encampment, fighting, and martyrdom are wide open. Your Somali brothers are engaged in one of the bloody decisive battles against the Crusaders. Observers see the Horn of African front as the third or fourth [most] important front among the fronts defending Islam at present. We thank God, Who made us the vanguards of the Islamic cause. This categorization is very great and it is the wish of any zealous believer. We are certain that it is a great bounty God has granted us to test our faith, may God help us.

As you know, there are many Muslims who lack these bounties, and they do not know how to pursue them theoretically or reach them practically. It is a bounty that the mujahid enjoys in worldly life and in the Hereafter, as stated by God: ‘Fight them, and Allah will punish them by your hands, cover them with shame, help you (to victory) over them, heal the breasts of Believers, and still the indignation of their hearts. For Allah will turn (in mercy) to whom He will; and Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise. [Koranic verse; Al-Tawbah, 9:14] It is true indeed. If crowned kings knew of the rewards the poor mujahidin receive for their suffering and the relief that our encamping people enjoy, they would envy us and fight us with swords.

Despite their suffering, your brothers in Somalia enjoy the bounty of strong adherence to Islam and the virtue of loving the Holy Koran and studying the Sunnah. They are also interested in studying the biography of the Prophet, peace and prayers be upon him and upon his family and companions, which is known as the study of ‘History and Conquests.’ It comprises the biographies of the heroes of Islam. The fruits of such love include supporting the religion of God, avenging the Prophet, peace and prayers be upon him, and trying seriously to implement God’s Shari’ah. These matters did not please the infidels and made the worshipers of the Cross stand against them with their might. They turned the capital, Mogadishu, into a city of ghosts and carried out atrocious massacres against everyone, including children and the elderly. This was their reaction on being faced with your heroic brothers, who gave them a lesson in the battlefield, and after experiencing their strength. Moreover, many of our people and tribes participated in performing the adoration of jihad in the cause of God, while some of them gained the honor of martyrdom. Their blood has revived the spirit of jihad in most of the oppressed Muslim peoples in neighboring countries. The region has become like a volcano ready to erupt, praise be to God.

[Sada al-Jihad] How do you see the progress of the jihad in your country and what victories have been achieved?

[Abu-Mansur] The jihad in your second country, Somalia, is going through an advanced phase in comparison with the difficult situation experienced by the Islamic world today. The jihadist movement here has gained, over two decades, a rich experience. It has witnessed great victories in its attempts to implement God’s Shari’ah, and has experienced days of joy and happiness. It has experienced at times the bitter taste of defeat, and some kinds of treason and conspiracies by enemies and friends. God says: ‘And there would have been some among you who would have listened to them [Koranic verse; Al-Tawbah, 9:47]. The jihadist movement has been attacked repeatedly in its infancy and sometimes after assuming authority. However, it has never surrendered to pressure and its will has never weakened. It has started from scratch many times over and returned again. By the grace of God we have lived as powerful and glorious people and God has granted us power. We have witnessed Crusader invasion and foreign occupation twice. Our people have suffered from air strikes and tasted the bitterness of displacement. We have been afflicted with adversity until some of us fled seeking safety, and others remained, seeking to protect the religion. We ask God to give us the power to defend right and protect us from alteration after righteousness.

Our experience is diverse, as we have experienced jihad against apostates and sects that do not implement Islamic Shari’ah. This kind [of enemy] has evolved and become a global trend in the framework of the so-called ‘proxy war,’ whereby the Crusader power gives the apostate sects, which sold their religion in return for material benefits, authority to fight on behalf of the global Crusade.

After conducting bloody battles the agents were defeated and the mujahidin were able to declare the implementation of Shari’ah. Then we were surprised at the quick, direct military intervention by the universal Crusader forces under the leadership of the United States, which urged the Ethiopian forces to fuel the battle. Their president, the foolish and obeyed ‘Bush,’ took over the responsibility of providing financial support to the Ethiopian occupiers. He supplied them with logistics and the US intelligence provided them with security information and the necessary training. Moreover, the United States went beyond that and involved its navy and air forces. Its military aircraft and ships poured lava over our defenseless people and their cattle in the villages and valleys. Thus, Somalia was occupied on Eid al-Adha in 1427 [corresponding to January 2007]. Infidelity invited its people from Uganda and Burundi to join the Ethiopian occupiers.

Despite all this suppression, the jihad was revived and the proud Muslim youth challenged the Crusader gangs. The military victories of the mujahidin in the battlefield have become apparent. Such victories can hardly be counted in an interview, but we will mention some of them quickly:

• The mujahidin have managed to take the initiative in carrying out military operations, while the enemy was often restricted to reacting. Praise be to God.
• The mujahidin have managed, by God’s grace, to confine the enemy to its barracks in just three cities.
• All the governorates, regions, and other cities are out of the control of the Crusader enemy.
• The Mujahidin have adopted new methods and carried out distinguished operations, which the region has never witnessed before.
• The Mujahidin have cut the enemy supply lines by setting up ambushes on the main roads and routes.
• The Mujahidin have conquered cities, villages, and regions, and attacked enemy barracks, including Balad Dukali Airport – the biggest military airport in Somalia, which is still closed – Dinsur District, and the governorates of Hudr, Wajid, Qansah Tayrah, and Pulu Bardi, in addition to Galguduud region and the Maslah military position north of Mogadishu.

Regarding the war inside the cities it has not quietened down yet, as in a year and a half the mujahidin have not got tired or bored. They have carried out a series of attacks:

• A series of ambushes in the streets of the capital and other cities, in addition to continuous night attacks that disturb the enemy’s nights.
• A series of martyrdom operations targeting positions of the Crusader army and its commanders.
• A series of attacks, using improvised explosive charges and light weapons, on the positions of the apostate army and the soldiers of the Cross.
• A series of continuous bombardments and missile attacks on enemy positions, the most important of which being the presidential residence, the international airport, the harbor, and all the enemy barracks inside the capital. The people in these places fled like rats living in dark caves.

[Sada al-Jihad] What are relations like between you and other jihadist factions? Do they belong to the people of Sunnah and Jama’ah?

[Abu-Mansur] Let’s answer the last part of your question first. My dear brother, Somali society is faithful by nature and belongs to the people of Sunnah and Jama’ah. The Islamic resurgence in Somalia began four decades ago. It evolved to face the contemporary jahiliyah [the era before the emergence of Islam], which supports the infidels and does not rule in accordance with God’s commandments. The Islamists adopted a hostile stance against the secular rulers, who were the remnants of past European occupation. They adhered to the path of the righteous predecessors in understanding God’s Book and the traditions of God’s apostle, peace and prayers be upon him. Most of them embrace the creed of Al-Firaqah al-Najiyah [the saved sect], but they vary according to the degrees of their knowledge, understanding, and application of this creed.

The mujahidin of the victorious sect led the Islamic movements and dominated the arena after 11 September. Their thoughts dominated in all areas of politics, military, the media, and preaching. They led others by their proper creed, their upright approach, their mature thinking, and their awareness of the conspiracy against our Muslim community. They surpass the other movements because of the media, military, security, and political capabilities that God granted them. These capabilities have enabled them to face these conspiracies with a sound approach, realistic understanding, and awareness enlightened by the revelation. They succeeded in thwarting some of these conspiracies. Praise be to God.

The relationship between the Salafi jihadist trend and other Islamists is a reciprocal relationship based on exchanging experiences, modelled on the better one, and following the one that invents a good tradition. The people of the jihad assume the leadership, provide the example, and lead others to a proper understanding and better actions than the other Islamists. Thus, the mujahidin often undertake what is described as regeneration operations, through which they revive what is abandoned of this religion. They are strangers facing predicaments at the beginning of the way. However, after the relief and after ending the estrangement, it will be easier for others to pass along the smooth road.

By the grace and gratitude of God we see the efforts of the mujahidin are bearing fruits and their wheels are turning faster. Thus, those who doubted the jihad and forsook it have started to call for the jihad. Those who were previously interested in education only have started to get training. Large numbers of people in the Islamic non-jihadist movements have started to practice the jihad along with their brothers. This way the resurgence, along with all of its different groups, is getting gradually closer to the prophetic path. Hence, the understanding and the approach will unite, and so consequently will the Islamic groups in compliance with the commandment of God the Almighty, who says: ‘And hold fast, all together, unto the bond with God, and do not draw apart from one another’ [Partial Koranic verse; Al Imran, 3:103]. This is a practical way to unite the ranks of Muslims. We have tried it as others did before us.

[Sada al-Jihad] Can you tell us please about the Alliance for the Liberation of Somalia and your stand toward it?

[Abu-Mansur] Since the commencing of the Islamic activity, a traditional reformist trend has emerged alongside the fundamentalist Islamic trend. They are suffering from a stifling awareness crisis. When the fundamentalist Islamic trend adopted the way of defending the truth and confronting the apostate governments, the reformists presented a list of concessions and compromises, and recognized the illegitimate governments. At a time the country is witnessing a direct Crusader occupation, the reformists are continuing their attempts to patch things up. Contrary to that, the mujahidin are launching jihad, sacrificing heroic martyrs, defending monotheism and the land of Muslims, and marching onward. They are hoping to restore the caliphate, which our honest Prophet told us about when he said: ‘Afterwards, a caliphate will be established according to the prophetic method.’

The attempts by the reformists to gain control through being involved in the pagan institutions and sharing power with them are witnessing a total failure. This is because it is like sowing seeds in the air or building a house on the waves on the sea. I will mention some of the stages of this attempt as follows:

First stage: In 1995, the Islamic Courts set out from the areas of Karan, Suq Baad, and San’a in Mogadishu and dominated important parts of the provinces bordering the capital from the north. However, their failure was quicker than a summer cloud. This was because they [the Islamic Courts] were based on infirm creed principles, and their entity was full of weaknesses and cavities, through which the secularists infiltrated with their craftiness. Thus, they vanished at the first dissension and melted like ice with no resistance.

Second stage: The Islamic Courts became active in the areas of Suq al-Bakarah and spread their influence up to the south in the Lower Shabele Region. However, the failure of the courts was of no surprise considering that the body carried the same germ that killed it before. Indeed, and in accordance with the common practice of the reformist trend, the leaders of the Islamic Courts made concessions and handed over the leadership to the secular government headed by Abd-al-Qasim Salad, just to gain some seats in the legislative council of the fake government.

Third stage: In this last stage they made an alliance with a group of parliamentarians of the apostate government including the speaker, and those who called themselves the civil society. They are nothing but agents of the United Nations that implements its plans in our country, including human rights and women’s organizations and other anti-Islamic movements. All this was done under the pretext of reaching a national unity government. Thus, the liberals broke away from the Islamic bloc and split their ranks in pursuit of the mirage of democracy. Out of their conference kitchen in Asmara, Eritrea, the new mixture, the Alliance for the Liberation of Somalia, emerged. It is a toxic meal they have served to our Muslim people, who are suffering from miserable living conditions, after applying the most atrocious method of starving and intimidation against our people. They reached a high degree of deception when they used religious scholars as a narcotic and a facade to pacify our people in the name of religion.

Our stand toward the Alliance for the Liberation of Somalia is based on the alliance’s principles, stands, rough statements, and real practices. All this is measured according to the scale of the upright Shari’ah. Thus, our stand toward them is defined according to how close or far they are from our religion. Let us mention some of their disclosed principles. The Prophet, peace and prayers be upon him, said: ‘Among the portents of the Hour [Day of Judgment] is the domination of evil.’

The Alliance for the Liberation of Somalia comprises trends of contradictory creeds. This includes deviated religious groups and the rest are secular groups, some of which were established to fight religion.

• The leaders of the Islamic Courts have renounced their religious identity, starting with the title of ‘Council of the Islamic Courts,’ leaders, and symbols. They have also renounced their goals and methods.
• The Alliance adopted a new secular constitution drafted by secular hands. They are the same hands that drafted the constitution of the apostate government of Imbagati.
• They abandoned the jihad in the cause of God, and replaced it with the ‘legal international resistance.’
• The relationship that bonds members of the Alliance for the Liberation of Somalia is a nationalist one, which contradicts the Islamic brotherhood.
• According to their published documents, they would file suits with the International Criminal Court in The Hague.
• They emphasize their respect for the laws of the pagan ‘international legitimacy,’ and always reiterate their commitment to the resolutions and treaties of the atheist United Nations.
• They respect the international political borders, which were drawn up according to the Sykes-Picot agreement, and their resistance is confined to the homeland borders.
• They denied the right of mujahidin to implement the principle of ‘loyalty and disavowal’ and forsook Abraham’s religion [Islam]. One of their habits is to socialize with God’s enemies and share in their matters.

[Sada al-Jihad] What is your opinion with regard to the conferences that are held in neighboring countries on Somalia? And what are your preconditions for participation in such conferences?

[Abu-Mansur] My dear brother, to put it briefly, the Al-Qa’ida of the jihad could never exist in the middle of a US base. Let us be more explicit and ask: Which neighboring country is ready to host the mujahidin in its lands? Is it Ethiopia, the source of the Crusader rancor and the base of Orthodox extremism? Is it Kenya, the CIA’s stronghold and the base from which the campaigns to fight Islam are drawn up? Or is it Djibouti, the trap set for everyone, particularly the mujahidin and the believers?

Perhaps you meant by your question the Islamist conference which will be held in Djibouti. There were other conferences held in Doha, Qatar. Is it rational to say that ‘Djiboutinamo’ Bay, with the same [grammatical] pattern as ‘Guantanamo’ Bay, will host a conference for the mujahidin where the meeting hall and the guests’ lobby are located in the middle of the second biggest US military base in the area after the Al-Sayliyah Camp in Qatar, where the US spy planes take off to hunt the monotheist believers in Yemen, Somalia, and the Great Lakes; and at a distance of a stone’s throw from the prisons of torture?

Could anyone believe that a group of religious scholars, proud mujahidin, frontline leaders, and military professionals would attend this conference and be surrounded by US guards in addition to forces from another six Crusader European countries? We could never be guests at such conferences that are held in neighboring countries. We abstain from attending international conferences since we are not like those who accept being received by a cunning infidel at Heathrow Airport in London or Kennedy Airport in New York, saying with a yellow smile on his face: ‘Welcome sir,’ although he has just returned from military service and his hands are stained with the blood of Muslims in Iraq, Afghanistan, Palestine, and Somalia.

[Sada al-Jihad] We know that there is a conspiracy being plotted against our people in Somalia. What are the threads of this conspiracy and which parties are participating, and what is your stand on it?

[Abu-Mansur] Indeed, the magnitude of the conspiracy being plotted against our nation is enormous. God warned us about it and asked as to be alert. God, the Almighty says: ‘Remember how the Unbelievers plotted against thee, to keep thee in bonds, or slay thee, or get thee out (of thy home). They plot and plan, and Allah too plans; but the best of planners is Allah’ [Koranic verse; Al-Anfal, 8:30].

God, the Almighty says: ‘They said: “Swear a mutual oath by Allah that we shall make a secret night attack on him and his people, and that we shall then say to his heir (when he seeks vengeance): ‘We were not present at the slaughter of his people, and we are positively telling the truth. They plotted and planned, but We too planned, even while they perceived it not. Then see what was the end of their plot! This, that We destroyed them and their people, all (of them). Now such were their houses – in utter ruin – because they practised wrongdoing. Verily in this is a Sign for people of knowledge. And We saved those who believed and practised righteousness’ [Koranic verses; Al-Naml, 27:49-53].

God, the Almighty says: “Mighty indeed were the plots which they made, but their plots were (well) within the sight of Allah, even though they were such as to shake the hills! Never think that Allah would fail his apostles in His promise: for Allah is Exalted in power, the Lord of Retribution’ [Koranic verses; Ibrahim, 14:46-47].

Thus, if the conspiracies are of such magnitude, their effects and results will be much less than the enemy expects, and this is by virtue of God’s grace on the mujahidin.

God, the Almighty says: ‘The Unbelievers spend their wealth to hinder (man) from the path of Allah, and so will they continue to spend; but in the end they will have (only) regrets and sighs; at length they will be overcome: and the Unbelievers will be gathered together to Hell’ [Koranic verse; Al-Anfal, 8:36].

The infidels have been plotting against your mujahidin brothers in Somalia for a while. They planned and spent a great deal of money on buying consciences to pave the way, and they put their satanic plans into place. They used the power of the infidel regimes and the wealth of nations in addition to regional and international organizations, which disguise themselves with international legitimacy and charity programs.

“God the Almighty says: ‘Every time they kindle the fire of war, Allah doth extinguish it; but they (ever) strive to do mischief on earth. And Allah loveth not those who do mischief’ [Partial Koranic verse; Al-Ma’idah, 5:64]. The conspiracy has many aspects, notably the religious one, as they target the Islamic creed from one side, and on the other side, they preach the rotten creeds and wicked thoughts of Christianity, worshipping the Cross, and secularism with its atheist and liberal faces. They also promote bad innovations and myths, and raise suspicion about monotheism and monotheists. The conspiracy covers all aspects of life, including the moral, economic, cultural, political, media, and military aspects, as well as the social and health aspects. However, we do not have the chance to mention them in detail.

[Sada al-Jihad] The United States has listed the Mujahidin Youth Movement [of Somalia] on its security list, considering it to be a threat to the security of the United States and its allies. What is your opinion on this issue?

[Abu-Mansur] By the grace of God the Almighty, we have not recently experienced a day more happy for the mujahidin than the day on which the United States put us on their list of honor; the list of jihadist men in a time that lacks great men. We were very happy to be recognized as terrorists who terrify the enemy of God and [know] that our humble jihad terrifies and weakens them. This is the objective behind preparing and organizing our strength and steeds of war. God the Almighty says: ‘Against them make ready your strength to the utmost of your power, including steeds of war, to strike terror into (the hearts of) the enemies, of Allah and your enemies, and others besides, whom ye may not know, but whom Allah doth know’ [Koranic verse; Al-Anfal, 8:60]. Prophet Muhammad, peace and prayers be upon him, said that the best people during predicaments are: ‘A shepherd who carries out his duty properly and worships his God, and a man who rides his horse terrifying the enemy of God,’ narrated by Al-Tirmithi on the authority of Umm-Malik al-Bahziyah.

It was narrated on the authority of Bin-Umar, may God be pleased with him and his father, that the Prophet, peace and prayers be upon him, said: ‘Shall I inform you about a night better than the holy Night of Power? A guard who carried out his duty in a land of horror, who may not return to his family,’ narrated by Al-Hakim.

They revealed to us a great secret when they announced that the reasons behind listing the Mujahidin Youth Movement on the list of terrorists are that the Mujahidin Youth Movement has foiled the plans of the international community, launched a war against African Union forces, and foiled the assignment of the apostate government (Karzai of Somalia). It was a very happy and joyful day for the mujahidin, whereby we exchanged congratulations as if it were the day of the greater feast. The common element shared by the mujahidin and the surrounding community was joy and happiness, considering this as an honor that has been granted to them by God. It was a recommendation that silenced the argument of those who question the importance of our jihadist operation. It is God’s wisdom that He granted the mujahidin this honor on the tongue of His most hostile enemy. It is a gift that came at a time of crisis, when each one of us was in great need of support. The enemies of God gave us our desire unintentionally, confirming to us that we are on the right path and that our humble effort has had a result.

[Sada al-Jihad] Did the crimes of the United States against the mujahidin in Somalia begin after this announcement or before it? And why is that?

[Abu-Mansur] Yes, indirect US campaigns of conspiracy against our Muslim nation have never stopped. In the 1960s of the last century, US Christian missionaries of the ‘Peace Corps’ and schools of the Maronite Church of Utah State targeted Somali Muslims. After that, the United States expanded its efforts and established its major oil companies on Somali territories. Conoco, Amoco, Texaco, and Chevron oil companies continued operating until 1991 when the ruling regime was overthrown. But these companies came back the next year along with US forces, being more aggressive and greedy, when the Somali territories witnessed a direct interference by the infidels of the US army. In the year 1412, corresponding to 1991, US forces entered Somalia under the UNITAF [Unified Task Force] umbrella and then in the next year, UNISOM [as published, presumably UNOSOM, United Nations Operation in Somalia] multinational forces arrived. They consisted of troops belonging to 33 countries under the command of the US general, Jonathan Howe, and entered Somalia as well. The entire world followed the live coverage of the US Marines’ activities, which was similar to a Hollywood movie. Cameras showed the forces of the [US] ‘Rangers’ and infidels of ‘Delta Force’ in their amphibious armor coming from the Indian Ocean and approaching the shores of Mogadishu, raising the Cross and weapons. The United States wanted this show to achieve victory without war. However, their play ended after a brutal battle, which resulted in their grave failure and escape. The mujahidin were led at that time by the martyred Shaykh Abdallah Ahmad Sahl. Many immigrant mujahidin joined the battle, such as Shaykh Imam Yusuf al-Ayyiri (Al-Battar), may God forgive him.

The massacres of Muslims that took place in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Somalia were not a coincidence. Rather, they were part of a conspiracy against Muslims that took place under the protection of the international legitimacy and the approval of international organizations. The scenes in this international Crusader play were directed by the criminal George Bush the father, who was in the White House at that time, and the wicked Orthodox Pope [as published] Boutros Boutros-Ghali, who was the secretary-general of the infidel United Nations. Muslims, whom all nations ganged up on, were and still are the prey in the wolf’s paws. The following could be the reasons behind their military invasion of Somalia:

1. Fear of the establishment of an Islamic state after the collapse of the former regime, which was supported by the United States, especially when a
2. group of the mujahidin achieved great victories against the secular trends and militia leaders, who do not implement God’s Shari’ah in many areas inside or outside Somalia. At that time, the door of jihad was wide open and many people joined Islam. Thus, the mujahidin were able to implement the Shari’ah, clerics started to purify the creed, and the Salafi approach spread.
3. When the Soviet Union was defeated by the mujahidin and broke up into small countries, the communist ideology passed away and the Warsaw Pact of the eastern bloc consequently collapsed. At that time the United States prepared itself to inherit the communist legacy and dominate the rest of the countries in the world. They took control of the world under the so-called ‘New World Order.’ After carrying out many field studies the United States chose Somalia, since it was weak and suffering from internal disagreement, to be an experimental field for their ideas and dreams. They were convinced that Somalia was good soil for their ambitions, so they started planting the seeds of the new world order in Somali soil and wanted the entire world to witness the day of harvest, and then subsequently to export this experiment to all the countries of the world.
4. Despite the continuous efforts of Christian missionaries, the Crusaders could not create even a Christian minority in Somali society. This upset Christians everywhere, as they tried many times to establish just a small percentage of Christians. However, by the grace of God, their efforts were in vain. The Somali people never welcomed a Christian among them. They knew the apostate only, about whom the Prophet, peace and prayers be upon him, said: ‘Whoever changes his religion [leaves Islam], slay him.’ The Crusaders found a new chance to restore Christianity by force. The US forces launched a crusade against Somalia under the slogan ‘Operation Restore Hope,’ which was nothing but an attempt to restore the hope that the Cross worshipers had lost. The evidence for this is that they fabricated an image showing Jesus, peace be upon him, as smoke rising up into the sky above the ‘Lido’ [area] on the attractive shores of the capital Mogadishu. High exalted be God from all that they claim. To confirm the nature of their crusade, their criminal president, Bush the father, arrived at Christmas as a conqueror, coming to perform religious rituals with his soldiers in Somalia. The hidden fact for those who admire the American style is that the empire of ‘cowboys’ was built on the philosophy of aggression and tyranny according to the famous saying of the Americans: ‘Violence is as American as apple pie’ [as published in English]. This means that the US aggression is similar to American apple pie. They have a solid basis which was built on such sayings, which made the practice of violence and blood spilling part of their joy, traditions, religion, and customs that they are keen to practise in all circumstances, whether they are in celebration, worship, at play, or having a picnic. Weak people among Americans have no rights, for example what happened to the Red Indians, the African Americans, people from Puerto Rico, Hispanics, Latinos, and Arab Americans. The question is, where are the rights of the poor white people themselves?

[Sada al-Jihad] What is the ability of the Ethiopian Crusaders and their apostate collaborators to continue confronting the mujahidin?

[Abu-Mansur] The Ethiopian Army can neither continue their military occupation nor can they confront the mujahidin for long, since the enemy forces present in Somalia form three circles supporting each other. If one of these circles is faulty, it will affect the other ones.

First circle: This circle is in direct confrontation with the mujahidin, and consists of the apostate militias that belong to Abdallah Yusuf’s government. After these militias carried out four failed campaigns against the mujahidin’s positions, they suffered strong attacks by the mujahidin. These militias were completely destroyed and their soldiers fled. They surrender with their weapons to the mujahidin every day.

Second circle: The Ethiopian forces, which have become the first line of defense after the militias of apostasy were defeated. The qualitative attacks carried out by the mujahidin exhausted these forces and made them lose their balance and their ability to take the initiative. As a result of this, the Ethiopian forces carried out massacres against defenseless civilians, including the ulema of the Al-Da’wah and Al-Tabligh [Call and Preaching] Group, as well as elderly and disabled people.

Third circle: The mercenaries of the African forces, which operate under the pretext of keeping peace. The mujahidin exposed the deficiencies of these forces and carried out direct attacks against their bases and headquarters in addition to carrying out martyrdom operations against their fortified camps. Thus, they cannot defend the Ethiopians for very long, God willing.

In conclusion, the commanders of the Ethiopian army and many Ethiopian politicians have stated that they have lost hope of continuing the occupation of Somalia due to the stubborn resistance and fierce strikes. At the same time, Ethiopia cannot afford the expensive cost of the war, especially after their American masters abandoned them. The Americans dealt with the Ethiopians in the satanic manner that God stated, when He says: ‘Remember Satan made their (sinful) acts seem alluring to them, and said: “No one among men can overcome you this day, while I am near to you”: But when the two forces came in sight of each other, he turned on his heels, and said: “Lo! I am clear of you; lo! I see what ye see not; lo! I fear Allah. For Allah is strict in punishment’ [Koranic verse; Al-Anfal, 8:48].

[Sada al-Jihad] What are the goals of the jihad in the Somali territories, and to what extent does it contribute to the global jihad against the United States, its allies and servants?

[Abu-Mansur] The jihad in Somalia typically belongs to the global jihadist movement with regard to thinking and approach. The first priority for the mujahidin is adherence to pure monotheism, following the Sunnah, and the accomplishment of the words: ‘There is no god but God, and Muhammad is His messenger, peace and prayers be upon him’ in practical life as a symbol, an adoration, behavior, a moral , a policy, a ruling, loyalty, and enmity.

Concerning goals, we attempt to revive the spirit of jihad among Muslims, unite their ranks in adherence to the truth, and implement the Shari’ah rulings on the people. Therefore, the jihad in Somalia is completely the same as the global jihad in everything. However the jihad in Somalia lacks immigrant mujahidin, as there are not enough numbers of non-Somali brothers. We are in need for Somalia’s Zarqawi, Khattab, and Abu-al-Layth. O heroes, how long should we wait?

[Sada al-Jihad] What is your stance regarding the AU and UN forces in the Muslim territories of Somalia, and how do you deal with them?

[Abu-Mansur] We do not differentiate between Ethiopian or Ugandan, African or international forces. All of them are Crusader occupiers aiming at destroying our nation, degrading our honor, and violating our sanctities. In any case, we cannot refrain from responding to the Crusader occupation and the imposing of their will on our Muslim people. The only way we can deal with them is with rifles and guns, no matter the pretext under which they came. We have proved this on the ground through undertaking qualitative, crushing operations against the Burundians and Ugandans.

We explained clearly the movement’s stance in our message in Dhu al-Hijjah 1428 to the mercenaries of the African countries allying with the Ethiopian occupation, in which we emphasized that the soldiers of the countries participating in the occupation of our country are part of the Crusader alliance and the war led by Bush, the international criminal, against all Muslims. Therefore, they have become targets for the strikes of Muslims who defend their religion and themselves. Those lowly mercenaries from Uganda and Burundi are no better than the Ethiopian Crusaders. We will respond to these countries and their people on their lands as they do with us. ‘God has full power and control over His affairs; but most among mankind know it not’ [Koranic verse; Yusuf, 12:21].

[Sada al-Jihad] What is the role of the African and international forces in fighting the mujahidin and assisting the Ethiopians?

[Abu-Mansur] Their role is clear as they help their Crusader brothers with rations and supplies, conceal the Ethiopian crimes in Somalia to deceive people of weak mind and short sight, and convince the world that they are helping Somalia. This is falsehood. All infidels belong to one ideology. They participate in the battles in Mogadishu, where they spread evil and fight virtue.

[Sada al-Jihad] What is your stance regarding the siege and the killing of children, women, and men in Palestine; and your stance regarding the rapprochement between HAMAS in Gaza and the Jews’ agents in Ramallah?

[Abu-Mansur] Al-Aqsa Mosque, Jerusalem, and the Holy Lands are the core of the global conflict between Muslims and international Zionism, because the Zionists: conservative Protestants and Masonic Jews, are attempting to establish the alleged kingdom of Jews with Jerusalem as its capital. They are working madly to demolish the Al-Aqsa Mosque and build Solomon’s Temple on its ruins, which has always been the dream of the Freemasons, or the Free Builders!

We, the mujahidin, see that the cause of the Al-Aqsa Mosque is a purely Islamic cause, not an Arab or Palestinian cause as described in the Western media. The Jews corrupted and desecrated the Holy Land. God the Almighty says: ‘And We gave (Clear) Warning to the Children of Israel in the Book, that twice would they do mischief on the earth and be elated with mighty arrogance (and twice would they be punished)’ [Koranic verse; Al-Isra, 17:4]. When the time comes, they will be destroyed by the mujahidin. We ask God to be among those mujahidin. God says: ‘And We said thereafter to the Children of Israel, “Dwell securely in the land (of promise)”: but when the second of the warnings came to pass, We gathered you together in a mingled crowd’ [Koranic verse; Al-Isra, 17:104].

We have nothing to say to our people in beloved Palestine other than what has been said [already] by the expert jihadist leaders, such as our Shaykh Usama Bin Ladin, Shaykh Abu-Yahya al-Libi, Amir Abu-Umar al-Baghdadi, and other jihadist scholars, may God protect them. We would like to emphasize the advice of these brilliant scholars, saying that the solution to the problem in Palestine is in the Koran and the Sunnah, and not through negotiations with the Crusaders, who sold the Al-Aqsa Mosque for a trivial sum.

Although we are far from you in Somalia, we follow your affairs and we ask God night and day to enable us to perform prayers in the Al-Aqsa Mosque before we die. We here, in the bush in Somalia, carry out jihad to liberate Palestine from the occupier Jews. We will say what the amir of the martyrs, Shaykh Abu-Mus’ab, may God bless his soul, said to you before. We say that we perform the jihad in Somalia while our eyes are on Jerusalem, which cannot be regained without the guidance of the Koran and the triumph of swords. God is the best source of guidance and support.

We would like to remind our people in Palestine and other Muslims as well that they are being tested. God says: ‘Of the people there are some who say: “We believe in Allah and the Last Day”‘[Partial Koranic verse; Al-Baqarah, 2:8]. The end is for those who are righteous. God promised his servants with victory and domination on earth provided they become united and implement God’s religion. God says: ‘(They are) those who, if We establish them in the land, establish regular prayer and give regular charity’ [Partial Koranic verse; Al-Hajj, 22:41]. Those people truly deserve to inherit the earth and dominate it. There is no victory except from God, Who grants it to whoever He wants. So, let us satisfy the precondition in order for God to grant us the reward. God says: ‘If ye will aid (the cause of) Allah.’ [Partial Koranic verse; Muhammad, 47:7].

We would like to remind the brother mujahidin of the portents mentioned in the prophetic Hadith, which were narrated in the Sahih Book on the authority of Abu-Hurayrah, saying: ‘Judgment Day will come only when the Muslims fight the Jews and kill them, until the Jew hides behind the tree and the stone, and the tree and the stone say: ‘O Muslim, O servant of God, there is a Jew behind me, come and kill him – except for the Gharqad tree.’

The rapprochement between Hamas and Fatah is similar to that between the reformists and anti-Islamic secular movements in Somalia. The ruler of Riyadh, Abdallah Bin-Abd-al-Aziz, is the mediator between the secularists and Islamists in Somalia and Palestine. This is a clear deviation from the right path. The Exalted God described the characteristics of those who purified the sanctities from the dirt of the Jews in the first promise mentioned in the following Koranic verse: ‘We sent against you Our servants given to terrible warfare’ [Partial Koranic verse; Al-Isra, 17:5]. These are their characteristics in the second promise as God, the Almighty says: ‘But if ye revert (to your sins), We shall revert (to Our punishments): And we have made Hell a prison for those who reject (all Faith)’ [Partial Koranic verse; Al-Isra, 17:8].

[Sada al-Jihad] How do you evaluate the media efforts, especially the efforts exerted by the GIMF, to present the jihad in Somalia and achieve its purpose? What would you like to say to your media brothers?

[Abu-Mansur] We would like to thank the brothers working in the jihadist media in general and our brothers in the GIMF in particular for their pivotal role in presenting our jihad in Somalia, posting our statements, and reporting on our operations. Before the emergence of the jihadist media, the eyes and ears of many Muslims were controlled by Crusader and government media, which distort the image of the jihad and charge the mujahidin with false accusations. Moreover, they were interviewing every beast of those who were killed by a fall, or gored to death [political analysts], calling themselves analysts, to speak falsely about the mujahidin and deceive those naive Muslims who unfortunately believe what is said by the enemy. The jihadist media has emerged out of this dark reality, imposed itself on other kinds of media, and presented the truth as it is. It has also participated in raising the awareness of Muslims and obliged the enemy to wait for the mujahidin’s statements on jihadist websites and forums. May God reward those people working in this field.

God enabled the people of the jihadist media to defy one of the obstacles facing the jihad at present. They have participated outstandingly in countering the hypocrites’ suspicions and opposing the enemy’s malice in a manner that they understand. Many young men were guided to join the jihad by those unknown people on the internet, and much good news is brought to us by those brothers, whom we do not know, but faith and the adoration of the jihad bonds us together.

O our brothers in the jihadist media, remain steadfast and keep patient against the frustrations and blocking attempts. The enemy targets the people in the media as it targets us as militants in order to silence you and hide the truth, ‘but God will not allow [this to pass], for He has willed to spread His light in all its fullness, however hateful this may be to all who deny the truth’ [Partial Koranic verse; Al-Tawbah, 9:32].

Praise be to God, by Whose grace the righteous deeds are accomplished.

Global Islamic Media Front.