Leaders Warn Against Further Bloodshed After Ethiopian troop withdrawal

Magadishu (slashNews) - Somalia’s religious and traditional leaders have warned against further bloodshed after the withdrawal of Ethiopian troops from Mogadishu and the rest of Somalia.

Sheik Bashiir Ahmed Salaad who is the chair of the committee mediating various resistance forces that have been fighting against the presence of Ethiopian troops in Somalia said that it is necessary that cooler heads prevail so that in-fighting among resistance forces can be avoided.

Spokesman for the Islamic Courts Mr. Abdirahiim Ise Adow also warned resistance forces to be vigilant about miscommunications that may lead to fighting among the groups that have been fighting Ethiopian troops. He said that so far it looks like that resistance forces are communicating well and are in the bases vacated by Ethiopian troops without incidences or violence.

Likewise, the Spokesman for Hawiye clan elders Mr. Ahmed Diiriye Ali also called for unity and that resistance forces avoid actions that may lead to confrontations. He called for all groups to unite to bring back security to Somalia.

Chairman of the National Reconciliation Committee Mr. Ismail Moalin Muuse welcomed the withdrawal of Ethiopian troops from Somalia calling it “historic�. He also called for unity and added that the victory against Ethiopian troops cannot be claimed by a single group but that it is a victory that came with Allah’s blessing.

Furthermore, people in Mogadishu and the IDP who live areas between Mogadishu and Afgoi have expressed jubilation and have called on resistance forces not to fight for control of the city.

A note related to this news: Today Ethiopian forces have vacated bases in the districts of Yaaqshiid and Huriwaa.