Submitted by crinadmin on
Summary: Witnesses report that Al-shabab fighters with military vehicles stormed villages in Afgoye town in the south of the country and abducted some 200 young boys.
[22 January 2012] - The Al-Qaeda affiliated militants of Al-Shabab have on Saturday forcibly abducted at least 200 young boys in the town of Afgoye, some 30 km away from Somalia capital, Mogadishu, residents confirmed. Witnesses said, Al-shabab fighters with military vehicles stormed villages in Afgoye town, abducting hundreds of youngsters whom they wanted to join for their fight against Somalia government based in Mogadishu. Reports said local residents were forced early on Saturday morning to go the squares in the town as to hear and listen to speeches from Al-Shabab leaders, who encouraged locals, especially youths to join war against TFG and AMISOM. Al-Shabab senior officials have made presentations about the in front of thousands of local people who gathered at the area to take part what they call a Jihad (holy war) against African Union peace-keeping troops, and the troops of the transitional federal government of Somalia. Afgoye town is one of southern areas controlled by Al-Shabab fighters, its residents have witnessed frequent strict measures and orders from the militants linked with Al-Qaeda. No word so far from Al-Shabab officials about the incident which sparked off fear and shock among the residents and parents whose children were forcibly taken away by the militants. Further Information:
pdf: http://allafrica.com/stories/201201220018.html