Somali Islamists Make 'Martyr' Video

Adam Salad Adam, a suspected suicide bomber speaks during a video made by a Islamic insurgent Somali group that the Associated Press obtained Wednesday May 23, 2007. Islamic insurgents in Somalia have created the video showing Adam reciting prayers from the Quran before apparently blowing himself up in a suicide blast, the latest sign that extremists are adopting tactics used by radical groups in Iraq, Afghanistan and the Middle East as they carry out their guerrilla war. (AP Photo/Via AP Television) (AP)

NAIROBI, Kenya -- Islamic insurgents in Somalia have created a video showing a man reciting prayers from the Quran before apparently blowing himself up in a suicide blast, the latest sign the extremists are adopting tactics used in Iraq, Afghanistan and the Middle East.

The Associated Press obtained the video Thursday from a person associated with the Shabab, the militant wing of an Islamic group that ruled much of southern Somalia for six months last year. The Council of Islamic Courts was driven from power in December, but has vowed to launch an Iraq-style insurgency until their brand of Islamic rule is imposed in Somalia.

So-called "martyr" videos are a common propaganda tactic used by al-Qaida in Iraq and Afghanistan and by groups in the Middle East, but are not known to have been used before in Somalia. In recent months, the insurgents also have started using suicide bombs and posting battle reports on the Internet, tactics not previously seen in Somalia.

"We know the enemy of Islam, the unbelievers have supporters everywhere and their aim is to prevent us from praying to the holy Quran," said the man in the video, identified as "Martyr Adam Salad Adam." He appeared to be in his 20s.

"But we have the support of God and they will lose in the end," the man said.

Adam urged Somalis to defend their country against "invaders" in the video, and said "I will be the first to devote my life ... I expect God to forgive my sins."

He was shown praying and driving a sport utility vehicle along the main road in the northern part of Somalia's capital, Mogadishu, an area that is a stronghold for the Islamists. Arabic music extolling holy war played, urging Muslims to "blow it up, don't waste a day" and "move forward to paradise, ignite a revolution."

Then an explosion was seen from a distance, sending a column of white smoke into the sky. Adam said he was targeting a base manned by Ethiopian troops, who provided vital military assistance to the Somalis in ousting the Islamic courts. It was not clear when the tape was produced, but a suicide bomb struck an Ethiopian base earlier this year.

The first suicide attack reported in Somalia was last September, targeting President Abdullahi Yusuf in the southern town of Baidoa. The blast and a subsequent gunbattle killed Yusuf's brother and 10 others.

Mohamud Gulane, a respected Somali elders, said suicide attacks were unheard of in Somalia until then. "Committing suicide to kill others is a phenomenon that was imported from outside," the 88-year-old Gulane said.

Islamic courts leaders deny any connection with al-Qaida, but the groups appear intertwined.

Aden Hashi Ayro, a Somali trained in al-Qaida camps in Afghanistan before 2001, is on the U.S. State Department's list of suspected terrorists and remains the overall leader of the Shabab.