15/09/08 (B465) Shabelle / L’UIC dément l’information selon laquelle elle serait partie prenante dans un processus de fermeture de l’aéroport de Mogadiscio. UIC denies airport’s closure involvement (En Anglais – Info lecteur)

The Islamic courts union have rebuffed that they (UIC) are involved the closure-threat against Mogadishu airport.

In a statement they issued they admitted that acts against the islamists are carried out the airport but its indispensable the vital service for Somali population they’ve with the airport.

They said in their statement that thousands of Somalis fly out and back the airport that is incredibly imperative.

It takes off from the patients in need of fitness and health checking.

They added that there is no reason that can cause the closure of the airport.

They condemned the killings and abduction against the important Somali people.

The UIC’s remarks come following the Alshabab group have threatened the shutting down of the airport from Tuesday.

The Somali Islamist group, Al-Shabaab, launched Saturday what it describes as a « final warning » before the closure of the Aden Adde airport in Mogadishu, threatening to retaliate against anyone violating their ultimatum.

« Since the airport is regularly used by U.S. and Israeli intelligence agencies and also serves as a military base for the Ugandan and Burundian occupation troops, we, the Mujahideen of Al-Shabaab, have taken the decision to close to the airport, » said a press release published Saturday on the website of the resistance organization.

« The airport is a major source of the income for the Ethiopian forces who manage it, » said the document, adding that Al-Shabaab will begin to implement their decision to close Aden Adde airport Tuesday (16/Ramadaan/1429H or September 16th, 2008). According to the Al-Shabaab fighters, if their orders are ignored, they will then begin to stage attacks on the airport.

« We know that in the near future foreign soldiers are scheduled to arrive at Aden Adde airport, therefore, it must be closed, » the communiqué continued.

Al-Shabaab has delivered what it calls the utmost declaration, instructing all commercial airlines to refrain from landing their aircraft at Aden Adde airport in the Somali capital, Mogadishu.

The Ethiopian army, Somalia’s Transitional Federal Government (TFG) leadership, and African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) representatives, have yet to comment on Al-Shabaab’s plans.