Ras Kamboni Brigades

Somali Civil War
Ras Kamboni Brigades
Leaders	Hassan Abdullah Hersi al-Turki
Clans/Tribes:	Mohamed Zubeir Ogaden sub-clan
Years active:	2007-2010
Headquarters:	Ras Kamboni
Operating Areas:	Southern Somalia, Jubbaland
Ideology:	Islamism
Strength:	500-1,000[1]
Preceded by:	Islamic Courts Union
Succeeded by:	Hizbul Islam (2009-2010) al-Shabaab (2010-) Raskamboni movement (2010-)
Allies:	Al-Shabaab, ARS-Eritirea, Jabhatul Islamiya, Muaskar Anole
Opponents:	Transitional Federal Government, ARS-Djibouti  Ethiopia, AMISOM

The Ras Kamboni Brigades also known as the Ras Kamboni Brigade, Muaskar Ras Kamboni or Mu'askar Ras Kamboni is an Islamist insurgent group active in Somalia (mostly in the Jubbalands), which took part in the anti-Ethiopian insurgency and later in the insurgency against the new Transitional Federal Government of Sheikh Sharif Ahmed. It was founded by Hassan Abdullah Hersi al-Turki, who was a commander of the Islamic Courts Union and the commander of its predecessor Itihaad al Islamiyah.^[2] In January 2009, after the Ethiopian withdrawal they merged with the Asmara-based wing of the Alliance for the Re-liberation of Somalia, led by Sheikh Hassan Dahir Aweys, Jabhatul Islamiya ("Islamic Front"), led by Sheikh Mohamed Ibrahim Hayle and Muaskar Anole ("Anole School") to form Hizbul Islam and continue the war against the TFG.^[3] During the 2009 Battle of Mogadishu, where in Hizbul Islam took part, Hassan Turki led a group of fighters from the Ras Kamboni Brigade from Kisimayo to Mogadishu as reinforcements, to join the battle.^[4]

In February 2010, the group left Hizbul Islam and joined Harakat al-Shabaab Mujahedeen.^[5]

References

1. ^ http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2010/02/shabaab_absorbs_sout.php
2. ^ http://www.dayaxnet.com/warar/article_2009_03_18_2411.html
3. ^ http://allafrica.com/stories/200902050135.html
4. ^ http://allafrica.com/stories/200905180013.html
5. ^ http://allafrica.com/stories/201002020211.html