Jowhar (Sunatimes) The Al-Shabaab militia in Jowhar town, Middle Shabelle region, has banned locals from watching satellite-dishes, especially Thaicom-site that transmits TV channels broadcasting in Somali language.

The militia ordered Jowhar town residents to refrain from watching channels transmitted by the Thaicom-site, compelling them to face their satellite dishes towards Arab-site.

Several Somali channels like Universal TV, Horn Cable TV, Somali Notational TV, Royal TV and Somali Channel broadcast on the Thaicom-site to reach to the Somali population in Somalia and the rest of the world.

It is not exactly clear as to why the Al-Shabaab militia has banned the Thaicom-site but locals say they suspect that the militia wants to hide their weakening military capability from the public, which is portrayed during time of clashes with government troops in various parts of the country.

All the Somali TV channels broadcasting on Thaicom-site feed the Somali people with news stories as they unfold in and outside Somalia, including Somali government military gains in the recent battle with the militia group.

Al-Shabaab leaders in the area threatened to punish defiant locals, who fail to comply with their brutal order with in the next three days.

The militia also threatened to confiscate satellites dishes and other important devices from defiant locals.

The militia has for many times in the past banned people living in areas under their control from watching TV channels and listening to Radio stations.

Earlier the Al-Shabaab banned the public from listening to the BBC and VOA, accusing them of carrying Western ideologies.

By Mohamed Abukar