Over many years, Al Qaeda's branch in Somalia, Harakat Al-Shabaab Mujahideen, (HSM) committed terrorist acts killing many innocent men, women, and children in Somalia and partly in Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania.
However, over the same period of time, this ability to continue senselessly kill innocent civilians has been consistently destroyed through joint efforts of the Somali people and the African Union.
Today, Harakat Al-Shabaab Mujahideen, (HSM) is weak and defeated (and if not defeated, it is on the verge of defeat).
In 2016 alone, open source intelligence (OSINT) data show over 2000 fighters have been killed.
Over the same period of time, dozens of mid-level commanders have been killed across Somalia leaving the group decapitated and leaderless.
Intelligence reports show the group has lost most of its most influential leaders including Mahad Karatey, Abu Musab, and Mohamed Kuno Gamadhere (these were key leaders whose clout was significant).
AMISOM has significantly degraded the terror group. Al-Shabaab is no longer capturing new territories let alone threatens long-term strategic plans for Somalia. The terror group is only scavenging to survive.
However, Kenya intelligence community warns that the enemy may be down but not out. Al-Shabaab is weak but not completely defeated. They are still recruiting more stupid people to go die in Somalia. Our role is to preempt these threats while orchestrating what can decommission these criminals and vanquish them completely.
