MOGADISHU — Somalia's Islamist Hezb al-Islam militia officially joined forces with the Al Qaeda-inspired Shebab movement in what they said was meant to set up an "Islamic Caliphate" in the country.
The more political Hezb al-Islam, founded in 2007 by Sheikh Hassan Dahir Aweys -- a declared terrorist by the United States -- last weekend announced its intention to merge with the Shebab.
"The reason we have joined forces also includes continuing the holy war and standing against the invasion by the Christian forces and reclaim the holy territories of Muslims that were forcefully taken," said a statement released late Thursday.
Senior leaders of the two Islamist groups attended a ceremony to make the declaration in a mosque in the capital Mogadishu Thursday, but the movements' senior-most leaders were absent.
Relations between the two groups have nevertheless not been smooth and in the past year they have frequently fought for control of territory mainly in Somalia's southern regions.Read More
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