Rising Al-Shabaab activity continue to be reported in the East African nation of Somalia. Despite the coronavirus pandemic surging in Somalia, Al-Shabaab on the other hand has exploited the situation to intensify attacks from across a number of theaters in Somalia.
In the barely five days, Al-Shabaab has claimed a number of attacks. Notably, attacks remain persistent in central and southern regions of Somalia. In Lower Juba, Al-Shabaab increased attacks targeting AMISOM operated bases in Hoosingo, Tabda and Abdi Birole. Tabda DP remain a persistent target of the militants with at least four repulsed attempted attacks.
Al-Shabaab which conduct many attacks from Fridays and over the weekends (Saturday and Sunday) concentrated its efforts on the recently celebrated Eid al Adha festivities. The militant group took charge of the celebrations from across towns and localities of southern and central Somalia.
Recently Claimed Attacks (July 28th – August 4th)
- On July 29th, at 1850hrs Al-Shabaab attempted probing TABDA FOB in Lower Juba from general direction of West with AK 47 and PKM in a brief raid that lasted less than a minute that was successfully repulsed.
- On July 31st, at about 1843 hrs Al-Shabaab militants attempted another raid on Bilis Qooqani (BQ) FOB using AK 47 rifles from the general NE side but were unsuccessful.
- On August 2nd, Al-Shabaab militants reportedly hurled a grenade into the home of the acting district commissioner Mohamed Abdullahi Omar (Koosto) in Wanlaweyn district, Lower Shabelle region on Sunday evening. The militants executed him on claims that he spied for US-trained special forces. Five other people were also wounded in the attack.
- On August 3rd, Reports indicate that an improvised explosive device (IED) was detonated in the Hamar Jabjab District of Mogadishu at approximately 13:45 local time on Monday noon. The attack reportedly occurred in the vicinity of busy Lul Yamani restaurant. Local police reports indicate that two security guards were killed after the attacker detonated his explosive in a martyrdom operation.
- On August 3rd, Al-Shabaab attempted to stage an attack on TABDA Defense Post using AK 47 rifles from general direction of West but was successfully repelled.
- On August 3rd, Al-Shabaab attempted attack on Kenyan security FOB in Konton, Wajir NEP was repulsed. A team of about 7Al-Shabaab militants claimed attack on this FOB from the direction of N about 500M from the FOB using PKM, AK47 and RPG. No casualties or damage were caused.
Latest Counterterrorism Interventions
- The US Africa Command (AFRICOM) confirmed that an airstrike conducted against Al-Shabaab forces in the vicinity of Jilib, Middle Juba region on Wednesday, July 29 killed at least one militant and wounded one other. AFRICOM stated that a compound used by the group was also destroyed.
- SNA killed Al-Shabaab Finance officer identified as Ali Garweyne and four of his bodyguards in an operation conducted near Jamame town. Garweyne was an Al-Shabaab operative behind rampant forceful taxation in Lower Juba region of Somalia.
Al-Shabaab Take Charge of Eid al Adha Celebrations in Southern and Central Somalia
The Al-Qaeda linked militant group, Al-Shabaab has on Friday 31st July 2020 paraded its power in several towns within southern and central regions of Somalia during Eid al Adha. The militant group took charge of the Eid al Adha celebration in a number of towns, attended by thousands of residents in an attempt of stamping authority, relevance and legitimacy as an alternative ruler.
Photos released by proxy media outlets, showed the huge presence of Al-Shabaab militants in regions perceived to be their territories, a move which could evoke a sharp debate on the success in the fight against the Somalia-based militants.
In some of the photos, the militants were pictured in military fatigues, holding sophisticated weapons perhaps in readiness for a battle against local and foreign troops, while at the same time kneeling down for prayers.
Around the fields where they had gathered, their traditional black flags, which are often mounted in their controlled territories, were also sighted, an indication that the group was in a friendly ground.
Some of the regions where the militants purportedly held the celebrations included, Jilib town within Middle Shabelle is the biggest base of the militants, El-Buur town of Galgadud region, Burkhabo town square of Hiran State, Salqali town of Lower Juba, Saco town of Lower Juba, Jalab city of Lower Juba and Bawali town of Lower Juba.
Insight/Conclusion
These kinds of celebrations should be of fundamental concern to counterterrorism actors in Somalia and broader East Africa region who are targets of the Islamist militants. In these celebrations from across all towns and locality of central and southern Somalia, Al-Shabaab leaders are seen lecturing the huge gatherings. Entertainment led by the militants is witnessed and gifting of children with guy toys.
The militants also exploit these celebrations to preach to locals against collaborating with security troops, especially foreign troops, describing them as invaders. These yearly celebrations have a huge significance as they offer Al-Shabaab fertile grounds for recruitment beside advocating its radical ideologies.
The technical publication of the photos by Al-Shabaab is very strategic and could very easily excite disgruntled youth and sympathisers into their folds, further piling pressure on military forces in Somalia, which have been under pressure to secure some of the fluid regions under the militants before the official handover of security operations to SNA troops in 2021.
Counterterrorism actors in Somalia also should be concerned with increased number of conferences sponsored by Al-Shabaab. In South Western State of Somalia, known locally as Koofur Orsi, many armed Clansmen from the Luwaay clan attended an Al-Shabab sponsored conference where allegedly they pledged allegiance to the Amir of Al-Shabaab. In jilib, Middle Shabelle and Al-Shabaab defacto headquarters has held such several sponsored conferences.
The photos of these conferences are thereafter promoted through various Al-Shabaab media platforms. Citing clan politics are pivotal in the war-torn Somalia, these are indicators that Al-Shabaab is trying to lure youth, women and even elderly men to support their ideologies besides justifying its war against the Federal Government of Somalia and its allied partners.
