Waagacusub.com - Head of Al Shabab operation Abdulaziz Abu Musab says in an interview to the militants radio, Al Andalous, that the  Camp Simba attack in Lamu was in retaliation of Kenyan anti-terror forces destruction of Hormuud offices and false boundaries between Kenya and Somalia.

Al Shabab communication department also disseminated pictures of the camp they attacked which is used by Kenyan and US military, including burning aircrafts which they set ablaze inside the camp.

Hormuud telecom administration had extraordinary meeting on January 6, 2020, but details of the meeting were not published.  Heads of the company were asked to leave their cell phones before coming to the closed door meeting.  This has created tension among the employees.

Kenya anti-terror forces destroyed centres belong to Hormuud Telecom in Jubbaland, inside Somalia, according UN Monitoring group.  Hormuud administration paid bribery several times to federal ministers and MPs who condemned Kenyan forces attack on Hormuud installations.

Hormuud group brings together such big companies as Telesom Somaliland, Golis Telecom Puntland, Salaam Somali Bank,Salaam African Bank, Taaj Express, Alburuuj Construction and Logistics,Daarusalaam City, BECCO POWERING, Coca Cola, Honey, milk, water, taxi, Three-wheeled taxis, sugar, and general trade business, and its confirmed that 45% of its employees are Al shabab.

"Al Shabab collects their extortion on EVC plus and Salaam Somalia Bank.  Most of this money comes from Hormuud group” said former amniyat of Al Shabab commander and former head of NISA operations Zakariye Ismail.  Former deputy emir of Al Shabab Mukhtar Robow aka Abu Mansur said that the militants receive most of their income from Hormuud group and Dahabshiil group.

"Hormuud and Dahabshiil used to give us support but now they pay taxes every year.  Their assets are accounted for in order to determine the amount of Zakah they are required to pay” said Abu Mansur who is under house arrest in Mogadishu.

Abu Mansur who is believed to be Al Shabab’s the number two in terms of knowledge added that "Al Shabab and those who pay taxes to them don’t see each other.  Everone pays through AVC plus and salaam bank”.

One of the evidence of Hormuud’s involvement is that their manager in Villa Somalia, Muhiadin Bistolo weyne has confessed that he brought Al Shabab fighters inside Somalia presidential palace on his vehicle.  Their intention was to kill former PM Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed.  Two of Hormuud managers were brought to military court when they were found to have worked on facilitating the truck bomb that was blown at Zoppe junction on 14 October, 2017.

Upto 1000 people lost their lives in that blast while many more got injuries.  One of the Hormuud drivers, Liban Saeed Jimale, blown himself up at ex-control Afgoye, causeing the death of 100, and injury of 200.  Hormuud administration did not pay compensation or apology on that, and talked about it. 

Al Shabab published its page the image of US soldier who they say was killed in Camp Simba Lamu attack.  They say his name is Mitch Mayfield, a 23 years old from Chicago.

By James Alexander

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