In a move that might ignite battle of supremacy between the two jihadist groups in Somalia, the Islamic State Somalia (ISS) seems to be making serious inroads in the Al-Qaeda affiliated Al-Shabaab perceived areas of operations, one notably being, Somalia’s capital Mogadishu.
Traders have reportedly closed shops while others have removed signboards in order to remain unidentified following surge in ISS activity in Mogadishu and in the country’s largest Bakara market.
Corresponding local reports cited from traders from the market, traders narrated how the militants from the Islamic State are now using threats and intimidation in an effort to force them into joining the militant group. The militant group has upscaled targeted assassinations, kidnappings and bombings as means to ensure traders are intimidated thereby paying forced taxes to them.
In one latest incident, on January 18, the Islamists militants targeted a trader with an improvised explosive device (IED) in Madina area after failing to pay taxes to them. In another similar attack, two other traders were targeted in fitted IED raid on January 24th failing to honor ISS demands.
Reports from the traders in Bakara market now indicate that they are living in fear for their lives noting severity of ISS leaving them with no options but to close their businesses.
ISS an offshoot that split from Al-Shabaab began operations in Puntland, northern Somalia in 2015; notably has fought battles with the Al-Qaeda aligned group especially in Galgala mountains and now ISS has brought the battle to Al-Shabaab doorstep, taking credit of some attacks in the capital Mogadishu.
Seems traders are afraid of ISS taking control of the Bakara market in the future according to their narrations. ISS has already embedded spies in the market who are collecting the details of the traders failing to pay taxes and subsequently ISS is coming hard on these traders. Situation expected to worsen for the traders citing Al-Shabaab too demands its share with defaulters facing dire consequences.
Despite pressure from Al-Shabaab, the so-called Islamic State in Somalia (ISS) led by Abdiqadir Mumin has is ready spread its tentacles to Mogadishu, central and southern regions of Somalia perceived to significantly be under control of Al-Shabaab and face them head-on.
first emerged in Galgala mountain ranges in Puntland’s Bari region in 2015 led by former UK based cleric Abdulkadir Mumin but has since spread its tentacles to southern and central regions of the country including the capital Mogadishu. Notably a number of ISS operatives were killed and other forced out of Mogadishu in 2018 and have maintain low profile in the city.
ISS fighters have conducted numerous targeted killings by shooting as opposed to Al-Shabaab which deploys large scale means such as bombings and IEDs in the capital Mogadishu. Target of Bakara market is strategic for the Islamic State aligned militants citing the open market is the largest in Somalia, and thus will be lucrative revenue source for the militant group.
In the coming days, Al-Shabaab, which commands the largest revenue base is expected to re-ignite fierce fight with ISS from Bakara in an attempt to flush them out and ensure exclusive control to its revenue source.
