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NAIROBI — Ahlu Sunnah Wal Jamaah on Saturday forced two mobile phone operators in the restive central Somali regions of Galgadud and Hiiraan to switch off their networks, news reports said. The Sufi paramilitary group shut down the networks of NationLink and Hormuud Telecom in the towns of Dusamareb, Guri’el, Matabaan and Girijir. They accused the network providers of failing to pay allowances to the armed group and their campaign.
An official in Dusamareb told Radio Shabelle that a growing record of non-payment forced them to order the operators to switch off their signals. He refused to provide further details.NationLink and Hormuud Telecom are the only two operators in central Somalia and their disruption has affected several hundreds of thousand people. It is unclear when or if, Ahlu Sunna militant will restore the network.
Ahlu Sunna is one of many groups battling in Somalia for the control of the war ravaged nation. They mainly operate in central and parts of the south of the country. In recent weeks, the group has divided itself into several factions while more than 150 fighters defected from their camp joined the rival Shabelle Valley administration. As well as al-Shabab, they are also combating an armed tribal militia in the town of Balanbal in Galgadud.
Somalia has been mired in violence since 1991 when dictator Mohamed Siad Bare was ousted by armed groups.
Somalilandpress | 15 April 2011
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