Reliable sources confirm that Somali based Harakat Al Shabaab Al Mujahideen could still be having strong traces in Central Somalia, El-Dher district near Galguduud and along the coast of Somalia.
Desperate actions by these gangs along the coast of Somalia and in the Central region are a sign that AMISOM troops could have cornered them and is rendering them powerless.
Al Shabaab attempts to kidnap and demand ransom is a reflection of the group’s steady decline in their economic power and their weak “military ability”.
Al Shabaab recently captured an Iranian fishing boat with 14 of its crew after it docked along the shores of Somalia coastline due to a mechanical failure.
See Also: Al Shabaab Recruitment in Kenya Still Imminent
This could be another of the group’s propaganda to show their prowess in Somalia and probably demand for ransom before they release the crew.
The Mujahedeen claiming to fight Jihad war have been seen to lose a lot of battles in Somalia and a good number of these militants killed in the escalating airborne operations in Somalia.
It is still not clear whether Al Shabaab could be plotting an ISIS-like strategy in their terror attacks along the coast of Somalia.
The group is also seen to evolve their mode of operation by attempting to attack Kenya using self-made nuclear weapons.
Several ships have disappeared off the Somali coast and it is suspected that Al Shabaab could be using this strategy to capture and forcefully recruit members into their group.
Counter-terrorism should therefore spread as far as along the Somali coast to ensure that there is no form of forceful recruitment by Al Shabaab who are now posing a threat on shipping industries.
