Plot to ovethrow Hizbul Islam governor in Hiran thwarted

3 May 3, 2010 - 9:12:50 AM A plot by individuals within Somalia’s Hizbul Islam faction to overthrow the group’s governor for central Somali region of Hiiran has been foiled, Radio Garowe reports. According to reliable sources, the officials were planning to toppled Sheikh Shuriye Farah Sabriye, Hizbul Islam governor, who was on trip to Somali capital Mogadishu to meet with the group’s top officials including Sheikh Hassan Dahir Aweys. “A plan to overthrow the Hizbul Islam governor of Hiran region was foiled by some members of the group who are among those arrested,” said an official who that the culprits would be brought before a court of law soon  On his part, Sheikh Shuriye Farah said the suspects, who include high-ranking officials were on mission to assassinate him. “I survived an assassination attempt and the decision to jail these officials came from Mogadishu,” said Sheikh Farah Sabriye. “The officials are seven in numbers and are currently held in a Beledweyne cell but they would be transferred to Mogadishu,” he added. Late last year, the group established an Islamic administration for the strategic central Somali town that borders Ethiopia and used as supply route for central Somalia. Al-Shabaab, another Islamist insurgent group has also appointed an administration for the town. Both groups are involved in military struggle against the UN-backed Somali government. The Horn of African nation has been marred by two decades of civil strife that started after the ouster Former President Mohammed Siad Bare in 1991. GAROWE ONLINE