The Al-Qaeda affiliated Al-Shabaab remains active in Somali. However, in the past one week, the militant group has recorded low-scale attacks in theater. Containment of the militant’s activity still remains a challenge currently when Somalia’s limited resources are stretched in fighting Al-Shabaab and Coronavirus.
Key Notes: Events Recorded Between April 17th and April 24th 2020
- Important entry includes; location/regions, the targeted groups and number of casualties (Fatalities) Those killed and ones injured.
- Data based on terror events recorded subsequently used to create graphical representation for analysis.
- The purpose of the graph is to establish terrorists’ attack trends and patterns.
- To help map regions mostly attacked and identify most preferred attack type by the Somali-based militant group, Al-Shabaab.
Brief Analysis on Al-Shabaab’s Terror Events, Fatalities, Attack Patterns and Preferred Attack Types
The Al-Qaeda branch in Somalia continues to record attacks in the Horn of Africa nation. Though sporadically and notably low-scale attacks, security assets need to come up with a strategy to halt them at a time Coronavirus cases in Somalia continue to soar.
Observation
In the past one week, the militant Islamist group activities in the Horn Africa were recorded in three theaters: Mogadishu, Bay region and Lower Shabelle region. At least 8 attacks were recorded.
Though the ultimate targets of the militants remain Somali government officials, installations, Somali security forces and AMISOM troops, Somali population (civilians) has suffered the heavy brunt of the Al-Qaeda aligned militants, with their way of live being frequently interrupted by these attacks.
According to terror events recorded from April 17 to April 24, Al-Shabaab militant group has conducted at least four attacks in the capital Mogadishu with 7casualties being recorded. At least 5, notably civilians suffered injuries from these attacks. Another 2, Somali government officials were assassinated in the capital, Mogadishu. Among those assassinated was a doctor in Ceelasha Biyaha in the outskirt of Mogadishu, accused of being an informant of the Somalia’s National Intelligence and Security Agency – NISA.
In Mogadishu green zone (heavily fortified) with facility housing Halane Base Camp and several diplomatic mission installations, Al-Shabaab claimed one mortar attack on the facility.
Its notable, this is a repeat attack. In mid-March, Shabaab claimed mortar attack on green zone though civilians are the ones who suffered from the attack. Halane Base Camp houses African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) troops.
Lower Shabelle an administrative region in southern Somalia also continues to record at least 2-3 attacks per week. In the past one-week, Al-Shabaab has claimed at least three attacks on SNA in Muri, Awdhengle and Balligodle localities of Lower Shabelle. The low scale IED attacks recorded a number of casualties.
Lower Shabelle remains the battlefield for unending clashes between the militants and SNA in recent months. In February, at least 25 SNA soldiers were killed by the Al-Qaeda aligned Al-Shabaab in a coordinated attack in El-Salini Military Base. Also, on April 1, Al-Shabaab using an IED, targeted SNA troops returning to their base in Awdhengle. Casualties were reported from that blast
Lower Shabelle region of Somalia, favors Al-Shabaab militant’s guerilla ambushes, considering the thickets and vegetation in this locality. The militants take advantage of the terrain and geographical advantages to mount elaborate ambushes targeting AMISOM and SNA troops operational in southern region of Somalia.
During this period, Bay region recorded at least one attack from the Islamist militants. However, its notable that the militant’s suffered from their own IED which detonated prematurely. The militants were targeting AMISOM’s Ethiopian troop’s convoy in Awdiinle, Bay region, southern Somalia.
It’s notable that, Al-Shabaab continues to deploy IED, RCIEDs and Landmines as preferred attack types. Security forces both SNA and AMISOM remains the group’s key target.
Comparing to the past two weeks, fewer regions were attacked.
Also, notable that explosions targeting SNA and AMISOM are regular in central and southern Somalia where the militant group still maintains control of various villages.
