Intelligence Gathered: OSINT reports indicate that informants working for Somali based militia group Harakat Al-Shabaab Al Mujahideen conduct thorough survey of their targets, report back on their findings then commence their operation, all these made possible through telephone and internet conversations.
Rare cases show the informants physically move from their assigned areas back to their operational bases.
Suspected informants then stay on the run, disguise themselves and through the assistance of Amniyat, the intelligence division of Al Shabaab militia group, these individuals conduct attacks on the kafir.
Al Shabaab Amniyat roles include gathering intelligence, carrying out assassinations, planning and staging suicide bombing missions often in Somalia, Kenya, Uganda and other countries as assigned.
Al Shabaab Amniyat Key Leaders in Somalia
Sheihk Ahmed Umar
Little is known about this leader. However, Somali’s militant group pledged an allegiance to Sheihk Ahmed Umar after the death of Ahmed Abdi Godane who was killed in a US air strike.
The leader was announced online, in a statement which indicated that the group would avenge Godane’s death.
The man who is believed to be in his 40s rose to his position following their 2013 operation which he was a mastermind in the killing of their rivals in Somalia. It is still not clear whether he is the “real” leader or the man behind the “ghost leader” of the al-Qaeda affiliated group.
Samantha Lewthwaite
Also known as the “white widow”, 32 year old mother of four and a London University graduate rose through the Al Shabaad terror group ranks because of her bravery, intelligence, creativity and loyalty to the emir and the group’s ideology.
The woman is believed to have taken over from her husband, the 7/7 London terrorist bomber Germaine Lindsay.
Currently living in an undisclosed area in Southern Somalia, the woman is believed to be behind major attacks in Kenya and Somalia, so far claiming close to 500 people.
Now as a Jihadi bride in Somalia and Lewthwaite is believed to be one of Godane’s key allies in the gang’s operation including the Westgate Mall attack and the Garissa University attack.
Security Assesment
There are confirmed reports indicating that Samantha is planning to reach out to her counter-parts based in Mombasa.
Intelligence reports indicate that there are possibilities that they will travel by dhows and might use road once they are in Mombasa.
Once in Mombasa, the group shall conduct a survey of their specific target and massively attack.
Heightened security and intelligence collection warn the attack might affect hotels, churches, coffee shops and public transport.
Read More: Al Shabaab Plan to Attack on Coastal Region
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