Active 2007-2009 Area of operations Southern Somalia Became Hizbul Islam | Leaders Mohamed Ibrahim Hayle Originated as Islamic Courts Union | |
Groups Mainly Hawiye sub-clans | ||
Jabhatul Islamiya (JABISO) also known as the Somali Islamic Front (SIF) was an Islamist insurgent group in Somalia. The group participated in the 2006-2009 insurgency against Ethiopia and in January 2009 merged with the Asmara based wing of the Alliance for the Re-liberation of Somalia, led by Sheikh Hassan Dahir Aweys, the Ras Kamboni Brigade, led by Sheikh Hassan Abdullah Hersi al-Turki and a smaller group Mu'askar Anole to form Hizbul Islam which became the second most powerful insurgent group (after al-Shabaab) in Somalia which continued fighting the TFG and AMISOM peacekeepers, after Ethiopian withdrawal.
On 19 January 2009, Jabhatul Islamiya fought a battle over the police headquarters of Mogadishu's Dharkinley district with the Somali government which killed at least 2 people. Jabhatul Islamiya had seized the police station a week earlier but was overpowered and forced to withdraw. Later in the day however they received re-enforcements and managed to re-take control over the police station.