Hiiraan Online
Wednesday, August 24, 2016
Sheikh Ali Dhere, Spokesman for Al Shabaab. FILE PHOTO: AP
Al Shabaab spokesman, Sheikh Ali Dhere said that the Al Qaeda linked group will continue its attacks against the semi-autonomous region of Puntland in an interview with Radio Andalus, a pro- Al Shabaab station.
Al Shabaab has claimed responsibility over twin blasts that rocked Galkayo last weekend. Puntland authorities now place the death toll of that attack at 30 while 90 others were injured.
He added that the attack was well coordinated and planned.
'The blasts in Galkayo caused a lot of destruction and we hit the right targets as planned where enemies were gathering'.
The attacks targeting a government building that housed administrative offices.
In the interview, Sheikh Ali Dhere said they targeted Puntland because it is an “enemy state dedicated to handing over Muslims to infidels”. He also accused Puntland of being an Ethiopian client state.
He warned the attacks in Puntland will continue.
In March, Al Shabaab militants attacked a hotel in Galkayo, killing at least six people including a high ranking local government official.
Al Shabaab is expected to step up attacks to disrupt the Parliamentary and Presidential elections scheduled for September and October.