Residents: Islamist militias target Somali World Cup watchers
"The Somali people, like everyone else in Africa, should be able to watch the tournament without fear of loss of life," the Somali Ministry of Information said. "The recent killings by Al Shabab and Hisbul Islam highlight yet again their barbarism, brutality and intolerance of Somali culture and values."
Gunmen believed to be from radical Islamist groups shot two people dead and detained 10 others when raiding a house where people were watching a World Cup match Saturday night, according to eyewitnesses.
The incident happened in Suqa Holaha, a neighborhood in northeast Mogadishu, Somalia, the witnesses said.
The killings are "the latest in a long line of un-Somali and un-Islamic activities," according to the Somali government, which compared the World Cup watcher deaths to recent looting and intimidation incidents allegedly committed by Islamic radicals against a Mogadishu radio station broadcasting the World Cup event.
A member of one group later said the watching of the World Cup is anti-Islamic.
One witness, Aisha Abdi, said the militants "stormed into the house" and fired at the World Cup watchers, killing two. Leaving the two bodies in the home, the militants rounded up the other fans, Abdi said.
Abdi blamed the Islamist group al-Sgabaab, but there was no claim of responsibility from that group or the group Hizbul Islam. Somali Islamists rarely claim responsibility, instead issuing warnings over such issues and carrying out punishments for those who defy them.
"Football is an inheritance from the primitive infidels, and we can never accept people to watch it and we are directing a final warning to those who want to watch it," said Sheikh Mohamed Abdi Aros, a spokesman for Hizbul Islam.
Hizbul Islam reportedly has detained at least 30 World Cup fans in Afgoye, an agricultural town which is about 30 kilometers (18 miles) south of Mogadishu. Residents said the militants raided houses on Afgoye where people were watching the matches.
"My friends and I were watching the Argentina and Nigeria game of the World Cup at my house" when they heard gunfire, said Afgoye resident Ibrahim Ade. "We turned off the TV and came out and we saw at least 30 people lined up by Hizbul Islam militias because of watching the same World Cup game."
He said it is risky to watch the matches in Islamist-controlled areas.
"It is very clear that the Islamist groups can ban anything at their wish," said Abdi Ismail, another fan who fled into a part of Mogadishu under control of the acting Somali government. But he said such bans are not based on Islam, as there are no verses which prohibit watching sports.
Africa
South Africa closes main border with Mozambique as post-election protests escalate
285 migrants intercepted off Libyan coast in past week: IOM
Boat capsizes off Comoros islands, 25 killed, UN agency says
Lightning strike kills 14, injures 34 in northern Uganda: police
NEWS FEED
Azerbaijan's MFA issued a statement on November 8 - Victory Day
Yoav Gallant reportedly says Israeli army has nothing left to do in Gaza
Trump says 'no price tag' for mass deportations
10 Palestinians killed in Israeli airstrike on school-turned shelter in N. Gaza
President-elect Trump taps Susie Wiles as White House chief of staff
European countries often lack competence for making wise decisions – Putin
U.S. Fed slashes interest rates by 25 basis points amid weakening labor market
No place for hegemony in new world order, Putin says
13 people missing after fishing boat sinks in waters off South Korea
Trump says he'll have lunch with Biden "very shortly"
Putin says Ukraine must remain neutral for there to be peace
Ukrainian leader says he is unaware of details of Trump plan to end war, bridles at ceasefire talk
Azerbaijani First Vice-President makes post on the occasion of Victory Day
A 6-day holiday begins in Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan marks Victory Day
Azerbaijan marks 4th anniversary of liberation of city of Shusha from occupation
Azerbaijan’s Qarabag FK beat Norwegian FK Bodø/Glimt
Finland invites NATO to deploy reconnaissance drone base on its territory
Putin praises Trump, says he's ready for dialogue
Thousands under evacuation near Los Angeles as wildfire torches homes
Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulates Donald Trump on his election victory
Biden says American people deserve "peaceful and orderly transition"
Russian PM to attend COP29 Summit in Baku
Prolongation of Ukrainian conflict narrows options for diplomacy — Erdogan
Pakistan home to 13,032 glaciers, new study reveals
Putin, after Trump win, says struggle for new world order is underway
Russian attack on Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia damages oncology ward, kills four
Russian President announces era of radical, revolutionary changes
No justification for blocking Türkiye's EU accession bid: Erdoğan
Biden says US elections are fair and "can be trusted"
Biden urges Americans to 'bring down the temperature' following Trump's US election win
President Ilham Aliyev made post on occasion of 8 November - Victory Day
Zelenskyy tells European summit 'peace through strength' is needed now
Biden set to address nation after Trump's decisive US election win
Talks between Putin, Trump before inauguration possible - Kremlin
Participants of AZIREX-2024 joint tactical exercise return to Azerbaijan
UN Resident Coordinator in Azerbaijan: Baku stands ready to welcome the world at COP29 - INTERVIEW
Participants of Global Summit of Religious Leaders visited Azerbaijan's Garabagh -VIDEO-UPDATED
Mexico authorities find 11 bodies in violent Guerrero state, investigating as homicides
Azerbaijan establishes Transport and Communication Holding
Leadership of Defense Ministry visits Military Police unit-VIDEO
Azerbaijan, Spain explore cooperation within COP29
Germany arrests US citizen on suspicion of spying for China
President Ilham Aliyev grants Colonel Azer Mammadov rank of Major General-ORDER
Human capital development, green jobs, and social protection to be discussed at COP29
President Ilham Aliyev grants Farid Seyidov rank of Major General of Justice
CMO Chairman reveals why Garegin II was not invited to Summit of World Religious Leaders
Azerbaijani President grants four Colonels high military ranks
Azerbaijani President grants Hikmat Mirzayev the high military rank of colonel-general
Graduation ceremony of the Underwater attack special force course is held-VIDEO