Faction leader reacts to deployment

Muse Sudi Yallahow, one of the main Mogadishu faction leaders opposed to the new government, is reportedly mobilising his militia in response to the police and army recruitment drive by the transitional government. This move by Yallahow, whose main base is Madina, southwest Mogadishu, came in reaction to the deployment of forces loyal to the government in parts of Mogadishu, according to the Mogadishu daily ‘Xog-Ogaal’ newspaper.

Sources close to the government confirmed to IRIN that there has been deployment of police units, backed up loyal militia, in most of Mogadishu’s police stations. Each police station had a contingent of 100 men, supported by ‘technicals’, or jeeps mounted with heavy weapons, they said. One of the police stations was very close to one of Yallahow’s bases in Karan district, north Mogadishu, at the former Somali navy headquarters, the sources added. ‘Xog-Ogaal’ reported that Yallahow wanted the forces removed, and regarded their deployment as an attempt by the government to initiate conflict with him.