Hizbul Islam - Misplaced Pages

2009–2010 and 2012–2014 Somali Islamist insurgent group

Hizbul Islam
Flag of Hizbul Islam
Leaders	Omar Iman (7 February 7 – 26 May 2009) Hassan Dahir Aweys (26 May 2009 – 20 December 2010)
Dates of operation	January 2009–December 2010 September 2012–June 2014
Headquarters	Kismayo (January 2009–October 2009) Afgooye (October 2009–December 2010)
Active regions	Southern and Central Somalia
Ideology	Islamism
Opponents	AMISOM Al-Shabaab
Preceded by Alliance for the Re-liberation of Somalia; Jabhatul Islamiya; Mu'askar Ras Kamboni; Muaskar Anole (Jan. 2009); Al-Shabaab (Sept. 2012)Succeeded by Al-Shabaab (Dec. 2010)

Hizbul Islam ("Islamic Party"), also known as Hizbul Islaami, Hisbi Islam, or Hezb-ul Islam, was a Somali Islamist group formed after four Islamist groups merged to oppose the new Transitional Federal Government administration of President Sheikh Sharif Ahmed several weeks after end of the Ethiopian military occupation of Somalia.

The four groups were: Hassan Aweys' the ARS-A, Jabhatul Islamiya ("Islamic Front"), Hassan Abdullah Hersi al-Turki's the Mu'askar Ras Kamboni (Ras Kamboni Brigade) and Muaskar Anole, the Marehan clan's Militia and Harti clan's militia. Hizbul Islam's principle objectives was the withdrawal of foreign troops and the imposition of Sharia in Somalia. The organization was badly weakened by fighting in Mogadishu in early 2009, when it had nearly toppled the government. By 2010 the group split between members who were actively fighting against or actively supporting Al-Shabaab. After much of the group had been merged into Al-Shabaab, Hassan Aweys announced Hizbul Islam's separation from them in 2012.

History

Start

Hizbul Islam was formed in January 2009 by a merger of four groups, with Ali Yassin Mohamed among its founders.

On 7 February 2009, Hizbul announced that it would continue to oppose the new government led by President Sharif Sheik Ahmed and the African Union forces in Mogadishu. Omar Iman, the group's first chairman, said, "the so-called government led by Sharif Sheikh Ahmed is not different from the one of Abdullahi Yusuf" and that they would continue the struggle.

Sheikh Omar Iman Abubakar, a high-ranking official of the Eritrea-based Alliance for the Reliberation of Somalia, was initially appointed as the group's chairman, he however, later resigned for Sheikh Hassan Dahir Aweys to take his position.

Internal struggle, 2009

The groups first internal power struggle lasted from March to May 2009. Two months after it was formed, an apparent power struggle in Hizbul Islam emerged. At a press conference in Mogadishu, a group claiming to represent Hizbul Islam announced that Sheikh Mohamed Hassan Ahmed, another Islamic cleric, had replaced Omar Iman as chairman of the group.

The press conference, on 24 March, was attended by several important members of Hizbul Islam, most notably the notorious ex-warlord Indho Ade. Sheik Da'ud Mohamed Abtidon, who claimed to be the new spokesperson for the group accused Omar Iman of refusing to accept the Islamic scholars' calls for a ceasefire, in return for AMISOM's withdrawal. Indho Ade was quoted as saying "The group (Hizbul Islam) has agreed to remove Sheikh Omar Iman since he made a mistake and violated the group's laws." Sheikh Mohamed Hassan Ahmed declared a ceasefire and entered negotiations for implementation of sharia law and AMISOM's withdrawal in return for joining the government.

However, Sheikh Aweys, the group's most powerful figure, rejected the claims made by Indho Ade that Sheikh Omar Iman had been removed as chairman. He was quoted as saying "No one can take authority away from Sheikh Omar Iman, because the group (Hizbul Islam) appointed him as chairman." Sheikh Aweys said that Indho Ade and the others from the press conference should form their own group instead of doing what he described as "trying to destroy Hizbul Islam". Prior to this Sheikh Omar Iman had denied that Indho Ade was the group's defence secretary. This led to the division of Hizbul Islam, with one group led by Indho Ade and the other led by Sheikh Aweys (with Omar Iman as chairman).

On 21 April 2009, Anole and the Ras Kamboni Brigades fought each other in a village called Abdalla Birole, which lies 40 km west of Kismayo. This happened after Anole fighters invaded a village called Bulo Haji, while Ras Kamboni Brigade militia arrived in Abdalla Birole and they clashed. The situation in the two villages was said to be tense, 4 people were killed and 7 injured during the fighting.

On 4 May, Al Shabaab and members of the main faction of Hizbul Islam, led by Sheikh Aweys and Umar Iman, attacked a base used by Indho Ade's group of Hizbul Islam. Indho Ade's lieutenants claimed that Al Shabaab and Hizbul Islam trying to expand territory into areas under the control of Indho Ade's militia.

Eight days later, Indho Ade handed over his arms to Sheikh Aweys, ending the group's division. However, soon after, he defected to the government. On 26 May, Omar Iman Abubakr stepped down as chairman and handed over his position to Sheikh Aweys, who was by then clearly the most powerful figure in the group.

Defeat by Al-Shabaab 2009-2010

On 1 October 2009, armed conflict between Hizbul Islam and Al-Shabaab began in a dispute between a faction of the Ras Kamboni Brigades and Al-Shabaab over who was in charge of Kisimayo. ARS-A and JABISO, which were aligned with Al-Shabaab in Mogadishu and the central Somalia Hiran region, refused to support the Ras Kamboni Brigades, meanwhile Anole remained neutral. It also led to a split within the Ras Kamboni Brigades, with a faction led by Sheikh "Madoobe" starting the war against Al-Shabaab and a faction led by Hassan "Turki" siding with Al Shabaab.

The Battle of Kismayo was won by Al-Shabaab which expelled Sheikh Madbobe's Ras Kamboni Brigade militia from the city. In the battles that followed, in November 2009, Sheikh Madobe's militia was overpowered by Al-Shabaab and local allies and forced to withdraw from the Lower Juba region and most of Southern Somalia. In February 2010, Hassan "Turki"'s branch declared a merge with Al-Shabaab. A clash in Hiran, in early 2010, was won by Al Shabaab, which then took control of the area.

In April 2010 a BBC correspondent compared Hizbul Islam to the Taliban of Afghanistan for banning radio stations from playing music.

Late in the year, Hizbul Islam were expelled from Bay region, after Al Shabaab seized control of Burhakaba. Soon after Hizbul Islam was forced to surrender the town of Luuq to Al Shabaab. From mid-December al-Shabaab fighters started taking over Hizbul Islam positions. On 20 December, Hizbul Islam surrendered to Al Shabaab. The BBC reported that rumours of a merger had not been confirmed by the leaders of the two groups, in particular Hizbul Islam leader Sheikh Aweys. Hizbul Islam was disbanded on 20 December 2010.

2012 Regrouping

In late September 2012, after Al-Shabab had suffered a number of military setbacks as well as criticism as the presumed hand behind the shooting of parliamentarian Mustafa Haji Maalim, Hizbul Islam announced that it was going to pull its former members out of Al Shabaab and regroup. The move was due to long-standing ideological differences, such as the group's opposition to the use of foreign jihadis, according to its spokesperson, and was described as "a significant setback for Al-Shabab". The spokesperson said it still wanted the African Union mission to leave Somalia but welcomed the new president Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and parliament as a "positive development".

Hizbul Islam has renounced violence in 2013. In June 2014 former foreign affairs secretary for Hizbul Islam has announced that Hizbul Islam would continue its activity in Somali politics as a political party and changed its name to Istiqlal.

Leadership

Sheikh Mohamed Ibrahim Hayle - Leader of Jabhatul Islamiya (JABISO).
Mukhtar Abu Ali Aisha - The Leader of Mu'askar Anole

Other leaders:

Mohamed Moalim - Official spokesperson.

Former leaders

Sheikh Omar Iman Abubakar - Chairman of Hizbul Islam until 26 May 2009 when he stepped down, handing over his position to Sheikh Hassan Dahir Aweys.
Sheikh Yusuf Mohammed Siad Inda'ade - A powerful warlord leading figure in the Asmara-based branch of the ARS until 17 May 2009, when he defected to the government.
Sheikh Hassan Abdullah Hersi al-Turki - Leader of the Ras Kamboni Brigade which defected to Al-Shabaab.
Sheikh Hassan Dahir Aweys - Leader of the Asmara-based wing of the ARS and chairman of the group. Later became Al-Shabaab's spiritual leader.

References

^ allafrica Aweys Surrenders to Al Shabaab, Six Killed in Bombing
^ Archived 25 September 2014 at the Wayback Machine
^ "Report of the Monitoring Group on Somalia pursuant to Security Council resolution 1853 (Page 16 & 17)". United Nations. 2008.
^ "Somalia: The Disintegration of Hizbul Islam?". Stratfor. 2 February 2010. Retrieved 13 December 2024.
The World Almanac of Islamism 2019. Rowman & Littlefield. 30 April 2019. pp. 662–663. ISBN 978-1-5381-3054-4.
"Hizbul Islam splits with al-Shabaab". Hiiraan Online. 24 September 2012. Retrieved 13 December 2024.
Levy, Oscar (11 May 2009). "Terrorledaren befinner sig i Sverige" (in Swedish). Nyheter24. Retrieved 2 June 2008.
"Somalia: Islamists Want to Keep Fighting Against the New Government". allAfrica.com. 7 February 2009. Retrieved 19 August 2010.
^ "Somalia: 7 Killed in Violence, Aweys Crowned Hizbul Islam Chief". allAfrica.com. 26 May 2009. Retrieved 19 August 2010.
"Somalia: Islamists Dismiss Their Leader". allAfrica.com. 23 March 2009. Retrieved 19 August 2010.
"Somalia: Discord Among Hizbul Islam Faction". allAfrica.com. 24 March 2009. Retrieved 19 August 2010.
"Somalia: Party of Islam Chairman Condemns Recent Attacks". allAfrica.com. 28 February 2009. Retrieved 19 August 2010.
"Somalia: 'Talks Open' Between Govt, Hizbul Islam Faction". allAfrica.com. 8 April 2009. Retrieved 19 August 2010.
"Somalia: Fighting Between Islamist Factions Kill Four People". allAfrica.com. 21 April 2009. Retrieved 19 August 2010.
"Somalia: Former Allies Involved in Mogadishu Skirmish". allAfrica.com. 4 May 2009. Retrieved 19 August 2010.
"Somalia: Islamist Leader Says He Handed Over His Weapons". allAfrica.com. 12 May 2009. Retrieved 19 August 2010.
^ "Somalia: Al-Shabaab's Encirclement Strategy". allAfrica.com. 8 December 2009. Retrieved 19 August 2010.
Sh. M. N, 12 December 2010 (12 December 2010). "Somalia: Clam Returns to Bur-Hakaba After One Day of Deadly Fighting". allAfrica. Retrieved 24 September 2012.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
"Somali radio stations comply with Islamists' music ban". BBC News. 13 April 2010. Retrieved 19 August 2010.
"Somalia: Al Shabaab Leaders Condemn Each Other Publicly". allAfrica.com. 18 December 2010. Retrieved 24 September 2012.
Khalif, Abdikadir (20 December 2010). "Somalia: Rival Militant Groups Set to Join Forces". allAfrica.com. Retrieved 24 September 2012.
"Somali Islamists al-Shabab and Hizbul Islam 'to merge'". BBC. 20 December 2010.
"Somalia's Shabaab threatens Uganda, Burundi attacks". Reuters. 23 December 2010.
^ Kenyan Amisom soldier kills six Somali civilians, BBC News, 24 September 2012
"Somalia: Fighting Erupts in Mogadishu, 2 Killed". allAfrica.com. 19 January 2009. Retrieved 19 August 2010.
"Who's Who in Somali Insurgency (Jamestown) Page 22". Scribd.com. Retrieved 19 August 2010.
"Somalia: Islamic Party Insurgents Declare War on New Govt". allAfrica.com. 7 February 2009. Retrieved 19 August 2010.
"Somalia: Islamist Rebel Leaders Hail Pirate Attacks". allAfrica.com. 12 April 2009. Retrieved 19 August 2010.

v t e Somali civil war (2009–present)
Part of the Somali Civil War War on terror
Timeline	2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
Background	History of Somalia (1991–2006) Greater Somalia Operation Enduring Freedom – Horn of Africa Somali Civil War Factions Diplomatic and humanitarian efforts Propaganda Disarmament 2006 Islamic Courts Union offensive Battle of Mogadishu (2006) Ethiopian–Somali conflict Insurgency in Ogaden Somali Reconciliation Conferences 1993 2002 2007
Operations and battles	Battle of South Mogadishu Battle of Mogadishu (2009) Battle for Central Somalia (2009) Battle of Wabho Battle of Kismayo (2009) Battle of Beledweyne (2010) 2010 Ayn clashes 2010 Kenya–Al-Shabaab border clash Battle of Mogadishu (2010–2011) Battle of Jubbada Hoose Battle of Gedo Battle of Elwaq Operation Linda Nchi Battle of Deynile Battle of Beledweyne (2011) Battle of Yurkud (2012) Battle of Kismayo (2012) Bulo Marer hostage rescue attempt Operation Indian Ocean Galgala campaign Battle of Baure Battle of Leego (2015) Battle of Janale (2015) Battle of El Adde Qandala campaign Battle of Kulbiyow 2017 raid on Barii Battle of Af Urur 2017 Golweyn ambush November 2017 Somalia airstrike 2018 African Union base attack in Bulo Marer December 2018 airstrikes in Gandarshe Camp Simba attack 2021 Mogadishu mutiny 2021 Golweyn ambush 2021 Galmudug clashes 2022 al-Shabaab invasion of Ethiopia Battle of Bal'ad Battle of Runirgod Battle of Buulo Mareer
Attacks	2009 African Union base bombings in Mogadishu 2009 Beledweyne bombing 2009 Hotel Shamo bombing May 2010 Mogadishu bombings 2010 Kampala bombings Muna Hotel attack 2011 Mogadishu bombing June 2013 Mogadishu attack 2013 Mogadishu Turkish embassy attack Westgate shopping mall attack 2013 Beledweyne attacks 2014 Villa Somalia attack 2014 Hotel Amalo attack Central Hotel attack Makka al-Mukarama hotel attack Garissa University College attack 2015 Ministry of Higher Education attack Garowe attack Jazeera Palace Hotel bombing Sahafi Hotel attacks January 2016 Mogadishu attack Daallo Airlines Flight 159 February 2016 Mogadishu attack Baidoa suicide bombing June 2016 Mogadishu attacks 2016 Galkayo bombings November 2016 Mogadishu car bombing December 2016 Mogadishu suicide bombing 2 January 2017 Mogadishu bombings Dayah Hotel attack February 2017 Mogadishu bombing 14 October 2017 Mogadishu bombings 28 October 2017 Mogadishu attacks February 2018 Mogadishu attacks March 2018 Mogadishu bombing July 2018 Mogadishu bombings 2 September 2018 Mogadishu bombing Sahafi Hotel attacks December 2018 Mogadishu bombing Nairobi DusitD2 complex attack Nairobi Latema Road blast 4 February 2019 Mogadishu bombing 28 February 2019 Mogadishu bombings Asasey Hotel attack 22 July 2019 Mogadishu bombing 24 July 2019 Mogadishu bombing 2019 Kenya bus shooting December 2019 Mogadishu bombing 2020 Afgooye bombing 2020 Mogadishu army base bombing 2020 Mogadishu hotel attack 2020 Galkayo bombing March 2021 Mogadishu bombing June 2021 Mogadishu bombing November 2021 Mogadishu bombing 2022 Mandera attack February 2022 Beledweyne bombing March 2022 Somalia attacks April 2022 Mogadishu bombing August 2022 Mogadishu attack September 2022 Beledweyne attack October 2022 Beledweyne bombings 2022 Kismayo hotel attack October 2022 Mogadishu bombings Siege of the Villa Rossa Hotel Mahas bombings 2023 Mogadishu hotel attack Mogadishu military academy bombing 2023 Beledweyne bombing Mogadishu tea shop bombing
OEF–HOA	2009 Baraawe raid Bulo Marer hostage rescue attempt 2013 raid on Barawe 2017 raid on Barii
Other events	Death of Noramfaizul Mohd Nor London Somalia Conference Abdiaziz Abdinur Ibrahim controversy Daallo Airlines Flight 159 Awdiinle massacre
Key players	Al-Shabaab Mukhtar Robow Ali Dhere Fuad Qalaf Hizbul Islam Hassan Dahir Aweys Hassan Abdullah Hersi al-Turki Federal Government of Somalia Hassan Sheikh Mohamud Omar Sharmarke Mohamed Sheikh Hassan Ahlu Sunna Waljama'a Galmudug Abdi Hasan Awale Puntland Abdiweli Gaas AMISOM United States AFRICOM Islamic State in Somalia
Previous phase: War in Somalia (2006–2009)

v t e Militant Islamism in Sub-Saharan Africa
Ideology	Jihadism Salafi jihadism Pan-Islamism
Phenomena	Islamic extremism Islamic fundamentalism Islamic terrorism
Organisations	Al-Shabaab Islamic Courts Union Al-Itihaad al-Islamiya Hizbul Islam Boko Haram Ansaru Movement for Oneness and Jihad in West Africa Al-Mulathameen Jama'at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb Ansar Dine Al-Mourabitoun Katiba Macina Ansarul Islam Katibat Salaheddin Ansar al-Sharia (Mali) Ansar al-Sharia (Mauritania) Allied Democratic Forces Islamic State Islamic State in the Greater Sahara Islamic State – West Africa Province Islamic State - Central Africa Province Islamic State in Somalia Islamic State - Mozambique Province Ansar al-Sunna (Mozambique)
Leaders	Ali Yassin Mohamed Hassan Dahir Aweys Fuad Qalaf Abdul Qadir Mumin Mokhtar Belmokhtar Abou Zeid Abdelmalek Droukdel Abubakar Shekau Ahmad Umar Mohammed Yusuf Iyad Ag Ghaly Amadou Koufa Adnan Abu Walid al-Sahrawi Sedane Ag Hita Ibrahim Malam Dicko Djaffar Dicko Musa Baluku
Events	Islamist insurgency in the Sahel Mali War Jihadist insurgency in Burkina Faso Jihadist insurgency in Niger Somali Civil War (2009–present) Boko Haram insurgency Insurgency in Cabo Delgado
Part of Islamism Militant Islamism in MENA region South Asia Southeast Asia

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