Al-Shabaab

Al-Shabaab

History of the organization

The Harakat al-Shabaab al-Mujahideen (HSM) is the youth wing of the al-Qaeda in Somalia. This militia group developed from the Islamic Courts Union (ICU). According to Abdisaid (2008), the Al-Shabaab came into being when the ICU was defeated by the Somali Transition Federal Government (TFG) that was supported by the Ethiopian military in 2006. Since then, the ICU split into various factions from which Al-Shabaab developed. The militant group came into wide recognition in the world in 2012. John (2009) points out that Al-Shabaab’s wide recognition developed after it began controlling the southern part of Somalia, imposing its own sharia law to the people. He also argues that by 2011, the Al-Shabaab troops had recruited about 14,426 militants. However, the veterans of the Al-Shabaab, for example Hizbul Shabaab, allege that Al-Shabaab existed as early as in 2004. The militant group had really gained ground, resources and power by the end of 2011. However, the Al-Shabaab leaders began quarreling with their masters in the Al-Qaeda on matters of leadership and they quickly separated.

The major aim of the Al-Shabaab as an organization is to fight against every enemy of the Islamic faith and to oppose the Somali Transition Government together with the African Union Mission to Somalia (AMISOM). Today, the militant group enjoys the support of foreigners who gang together in promotion of terrorism acts. In fact, most of the cases of suicide bombing in Somalia are done by foreign militants. However, the Al-Shabaab militia has lost grips of Somalia especially with the expedition Linda Nchi by the Kenya Defense Forces (KDF) and the AMISOM forces. These forces have captured many strongholds of the Al-Shabaab, forcing the militants either to surrender or to go into hiding. According to Chothia (2011), the current drought in Somalia has developed differences in the Al-Shabaab leadership. Chothia further links the recent assassinations of the Al-Shabaab leaders to these rifts.

Comparison of Al-Shabaab with other terrorist groups

The beliefs of the Al-shabaab militants are that all other religions of the world are enemies of the Islamic faith. They therefore plight themselves in executing holy wars in defense of their religion. Similarly, the Al-Qaeda also plights itself in fighting against the opponent of the Islamic faith in the world.

The motives of the Al-Shabaab and the Al-Qaeda have similarities. Both of these terrorist organizations endeavor to see that the world is led using the sharia law only. With this in account, they plan and execute religious attacks on opponents of sharia law especially the Christians. Opponent of their teachings are executed. John (2009), points out that the Al-Shabaab send out their military to yank gold and silver tooth fillings from people’s mouths since it was un-Islamic. The other similar motive is on instilling fear on the opponents and followers. Both groups work under the premise of panic. For example, an adulterous woman is executed by stoning to death in public.

The difference between Al-Shabaab and Al-Qaeda is that Al-Shabaab opposes the traditions of the Sufi people, while the Al-Qaeda does not. The Al-Shabaab has therefore engaged into armed fight with the Ahlu Sunna Waljama’a due to clash of beliefs. The two terror groups also have similar allies. They are supporters an Islamic led world, which is the core business of most of the terrorist organizations in the world.

Present areas of operation, believed actions, and current status

The Al-Shabaab major areas of operations are in Somalia and in opponent nations. In Somalia, the militants controlled most of the southern parts including the port of Kismayo and the K-50 airport. They also controlled the airports and major towns like Afamadow and its villages. In these areas, the militants controlled trade and administration. In the outer world, the Al-Shabaab undertake organized terror attacks, for instance, it has coordinated several attacks in Nairobi and in Garrisa towns in Kenya. It has also carried out attacks in Yemen. The Al-Shabaab believes that they can win the war against opponents of sharia law and Islamic leadership in the world to the extent of volunteering as suicide bombers. Others put crucifix and Bibles on executed bodies of Christians to instill panic. However, currently, the group has been completely destabilized especially following it defeat by the AMISOM and Kenya Defense Forces (KDF) forces. Its lucrative source of wealth at the port of Kismayo was also taken away by these forces. Members of the Al-Shabaab have resulted into hiding and suicide attacks.

Intelligence actions against the Al-Shabaab and its actions

The Al-Shabaab has continued to execute people and even commit suicide bombings. In fact, they can attack aid group like the U.N and the Red Cross. According to John (2009), the Al-Shabaab had killed 42 relief workers by the end 1999. This has led to international uproar about the Al-Shabaab. The Unite States of America declared war on the Al-Shabaab. The Secretary of Defense Mr. Leon Penetta has organized operations against the Al-Shabaab in Somalia and North Africa.

The Kenya Defense Forces (KDF) took action to pursue the Al-Shabaab militia in their mother land. They later united with the AMISOM and have managed to flush out the leadership of AL-Shabaab in Somalia. Security intelligence has also been beefed up in Kenya and the surrounding nations. Several members of the militia have also been jailed in Kenya.

References

Abdisaid, A. (2008). ‘The Al-Shabaab Al-Mujahidiin: A profile of the first Somali terrorist organization’, Institut für Strategie Politik Sicherheits und Wirtschaftsberatung (ISPSW), Berlin, Germany.

Chothia, F. (August 9, 2011). “Could Somali famine deal a fatal blow to al- Shabab?” BBC. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-14373264. .

John, A. (2009). Letter from Mogadishu, “The Most Failed State,” The New Yorker, December 14, 2009, p. 64.