EVENT SUMMARY
16th May 2016, the Al Qaeda affiliated Al-Shabaab reportedly attacked airport in Bardheere, Gedo with small arms and mortar shells. The militants were targeting an Ethiopian military base stationed at the airport.
SNA and Ethiopian troops who are part of African Union Mission in Somalia responded to the attack with fierce gunfight killing six Al-Shabaab militants and capturing two others.
The joint forces then embarked on house to house search operations to flush the Al-Shabaab remnants following the attack.
On 16th May 2016, Al-Shabaab tried to breach security on SNA and AMISOM bases in Halgan, Hiraan region with the group’s propaganda outlets saying they killed six SNA soldiers. According to a senior SNA official, the attack happened but downplayed Al-Shabaab claims saying the militants suffered after their fighters were killed in a botched military base attack.
Citing improved security in Mogadishu, on 16th May 2016, Turkish airlines resumed operations in and out of Mogadishu’s Aden Adde International. Turkish airlines had suspended its flights to Mogadishu due security threats and following an attack on Daallo Airlines flight 159.
17th May 2016, Al-Shabaab militants reportedly beheaded a man near Bulobarde, Hiraan region accused of spying for SNA and Ethiopian troops in the locality.
The incident comes barely a day after four village elders were brutally beheaded by Al-Shabaab for spying accusation near Adan-Yabal.
ANALYSIS
In brief analysis on Al-Shabaab turn of events clearly indicates the militant’s desperation to conduct a successful attack.
Al-Shabaab has suffered severely under SNA and AMISOM troops, repulsing and thwarting would-be attacks. Several militants have been killed but in to remain relevant the militants continue to air propaganda claiming to have killed ghost soldiers in their botched attacks.
To dissuade militants from leaving the jihadist group, the militants ground has employed the strategy of intimidations and killing citing espionage.
