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Islamists destroy Somali church | Islamists destroy Somali church |
(about 3 hours later) | |
An Islamist group in Somalia has destroyed a derelict church in the southern port town of Kismayo, an eyewitness has told the BBC. | An Islamist group in Somalia has destroyed a derelict church in the southern port town of Kismayo, an eyewitness has told the BBC. |
The destruction took place after prayers to mark the Eid al-Fitr festival at the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. | The destruction took place after prayers to mark the Eid al-Fitr festival at the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. |
The al-Shabab group took control of Kismayo in fierce fighting last month. | The al-Shabab group took control of Kismayo in fierce fighting last month. |
They say they will build a mosque on the site of the colonial-era church, which has not been used for many years. | They say they will build a mosque on the site of the colonial-era church, which has not been used for many years. |
Almost the entire Somali population is Muslim. Some Christian groups have complained about persecution. | Almost the entire Somali population is Muslim. Some Christian groups have complained about persecution. |
In 2005, an Islamist group dug up graves from an Italian colonial cemetery in the capital, Mogadishu, and built a mosque on the site. | In 2005, an Islamist group dug up graves from an Italian colonial cemetery in the capital, Mogadishu, and built a mosque on the site. |
An al-Shabab spokesman has said they wanted to destroy the church in retaliation for the destruction of a mosque in Ethiopia. | An al-Shabab spokesman has said they wanted to destroy the church in retaliation for the destruction of a mosque in Ethiopia. |
Eyewitnesses told the BBC Somali Service that a number of displaced families living in the church were not given prior warning that it was to be demolished. | |
Al-Shabab is fiercely opposed to the presence of Ethiopian troops in Somalia. | Al-Shabab is fiercely opposed to the presence of Ethiopian troops in Somalia. |
It refuses to take part in peace talks unless a deadline is set for them to leave the country. | It refuses to take part in peace talks unless a deadline is set for them to leave the country. |
The Ethiopians intervened in Somalia to help government forces oust Islamists two years ago. | The Ethiopians intervened in Somalia to help government forces oust Islamists two years ago. |