New Somali Alliance

September 12, 2007: Somali Islamists loyal to the Islamic Courts Union met with fellow opposition leaders to form a new alliance intended to overthrow Somalia's Ethiopian-backed transitional government. The meeting resulted in the formation of The Alliance for the Liberation of Somalia (ALS). The alliance is dedicated to overturning the transitional government through "military struggle," or "diplomatic efforts."BBC: New Somali alliance threatens war

• Hassan Dahir Aweys
• Sharif Sheikh Ahmad
• Hussein Mohamed Farrah
• Meles Zenawi

1. 45% of members are Islamists
2. 30% of members are various civil representatives
3. 25% of members are former members of the previous parliament

Ethiopia has occupied Somalia since 2006, after a civil war in which Somalia fell under the control of Islamic warlords. Islamic forces officially declared war against the Ethiopian occupation on December 21, 2006.

"We warn Ethiopia to withdraw immediately. It is now or never and in a few weeks they will not have a route to withdraw."*— Zakariya Mahamud Abdi (ALS) Spokesman BBC: New Somali alliance threatens war

• Islamic Courts Union - Sharia Courts formed to rival the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia
  • Wikipedia: Islamic Courts Union

• Transitional Federal Parliament of the Somali Republic - Interim Parliament of Somalia formed in 2004
  • Wikipedia: Transitional Federal Parliament

• Sharif Ahmed - Member of the Islamic Court Union that controlled Somalia's capital until the war in Somalia
  • Wikipedia: Sharif Ahmed

• Sheikh Hassan Dahir Aweys - Head of the 90-member council of the Islamic Courts Union of Somalia
  • Wikipedia: Hassan Dahir Aweys

• Ali Mohammed Ghedi - Prime Minister of the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) of Somalia.
  • Wikipedia: Ali Mohammed Ghedi

• Meles Zenawi - Prime Minister of Ethiopia
  • Wikipedia: Meles Zenawi