The Somali-based Al-Qaeda affiliated Al-Shabaab has released its latest video which for the first time features one its notorious commanders in the battlefield.
In the video, the Al-Shabaab featured Abdullahi Haji Daud alias Yusuf Haji four years later after he was killed in US airstrike in May 2016. Al-Shabaab usually celebrates/eulogizes militants who die from violent confrontations with security forces.
In the video which takes more than an hour praises the slain commander documenting battles he had led against Somali government forces and coalition forces saying his death will not be in vain.
While the video maybe a move perhaps geared at show casing Al-Shabaab’s prowess in executing its extremism agenda, it is also very likely its aimed at activating the group’s cells besides boosting morale of its fighting to emulate Abdullahi Haji Daud alias Yusuf Haji who in the video is described as a ‘warhorse’.
Haji, before his death, held several positions within Al-Shabaab’s ranks but most notable is that he was in charge of field operations which elevated him to attain the rank of a commander. US had described him as a dangerous terror operative and had placed a $5 million bounty reward on his head after going for several years without locating him within Somalia. However, Haji was later killed in a US-coordinate airstrike in Somalia’s southern region ending close to five years of search.
The latest release should not be viewed as just a celebration or eulogy to Al-Shabaab’s slain leader but should be a wake-up call to counterterrorism assets to prepare to thwart coming battles citing the militant group reiteration that it will execute his philosophy despite his death which they blame on foreign soldiers.
Its imminent, the video is aimed at reawakening the foot soldiers to take up roles in the battle field and avenge one of their celebrated commander. Al-Shabaab usually feature its slain commanders and fighters in few instances and when they make such videos in their memory and the statement is issued, then they’re about to make major raids in Somalia, targeting various government officials.
To relate this, the Islamist militant group released a video of the current leader, Ahmed Omar Diriye shortly after the Al-Shabaab attack at Balligodle army base though the September 2019 raid was largely a disappointment citing that the elite Danab forces managed to repulse the attack.
It is of utmost importance for joint counterterrorism actors in Somalia take the coded message in this video as a threat and subsequently increase on surveillance and complement with human intelligence (HUMINT) from locals in order to locate, disrupt militants’ movements and basically prepare to counter the possible attacks coming.
