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Somalia's Islamist forces use force to evict land occupiers in the capital
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Wednesday Dec. 06, 2006
8:30 AM
By Sh.M.Network
Islamic Courts security officers in Mogadishu have explained gunfire exchanges that have taken place around former beverage factory on the suburb of Mogadishu.
Yusuf Isse Sheik Ahmed known as Kabo-Kutukade, the Islamic Courts security officer in eastern part of Mogadishu has held a press conference in the capital, indicating that an armed group, who forcefully occupied the land of the beverage firm for years, have been evicted after an exchange of gunfire between them [Islamist fighters] and the armed occupants.
Kaba-Kutukade alleged that they took the gunmen into custody without any casualties. “We have warned those people several times in the past to vacate the land which was to be given back to their owners after the owners asked their land back, but the occupants turned deaf ears to us, therefore we had to take action to make them vacate forcefully,” he said.
Since Islamic Courts took control of the capital Mogadishu, many people whose properties were confiscated forcefully by armed militias or individuals happened to have them back with the help of Union of Islamic Courts that promised justice and equality in their administered areas in Somalia.
Residents at Ex-control area, on the edge of the capital, where the incident took place said there were civilian casualties, but the Islamist officer denied any casualties during their operation in the area.
He called on people who may forcefully occupy someone else's property or house to vacate peacefully, threatening they would face sever punishments if they do not give back other people's properties. “The times when someone's property could be confiscated forcefully are over. No one can rely on his clan power and steal other one. Any one whose property was taken forcefully by other people should report to Union of Islamic Courts,” he said.
This was the first time Islamist fighters used force to evict armed people who powerfully occupied a land that did not belong to them.
Somalia has had no central government since 1991 when warlords ousted President Siad Barre. |
