Al Qaeda official affiliate in the Horn of Africa known as Harakat Al Shabaab al Mujahedeen as claimed several attacks in Somalia. The attacks have targeted security forces as well as allied forces in the country in a series of attacks. The attacks have been claimed through the group’s official media that conducts the group’s propaganda.
It is apparent that the attacks are being used to distract from the fact that the top leadership in al Shabaab is falling apart with the executive council divided on the way forward for the group. Just a few days ago, Sheikh Ubaidah, the Emir for HSM, fired two commanders from the said executive council for opposing the continued attacks on the civilian populace in Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu.
Al Shabaab appears to have stepped up its attacks especially in Mogadishu in February as a way of asserting themselves and shutting down any dissent allegations within the group’s ranks.
- HSM claimed to ambush an SNA military convoy traveling between Alameda and Hawa Abdi areas in the outskirts of Mogadishu
- Claimed a landmine attack on a member of parliament’s vehicle at telex junction in Mogadishu
- Claimed the assassination of two NISA officers in Hera district of Mogadishu
- Claimed an attack on an AMISOM military convoy killing several soldiers in Jubbaland
- Claimed the killing of a Somali Police officer in Aylsha area in Mogadishu
- Killed 4 Burundian soldiers on patrol In Burni town in Middle Shabelle
Insight
While it is apparent that the group’s leadership is struggling to convince the public of its power and influence in Somalia, the wrangles have caused a rift in the group. The group’s leadership has on numerous occasions exhibited an obnoxious need to assert itself, instill fear and dissuade the society from cooperating with the federal government and allied partners. However, the recent expulsion of commanders from the Tanfid could adequately widen the rift within al Shabaab, encourage defections creating an opportunity to render significant losses on the HSM side. Security agencies are implored to exploit the fissure weaknesses within the organization to make sure that the organization doesn’t regroup.
