Supremacy battles within Al-Shabab continue to be reported among the groups’ deputies in the wake of the ailing emir.
Succession wars widens within the Al-Qaeda linked terrorist group based in Somalia as Ubeiydah’s health reportedly has worsened in the last six months.
With no hope that Ubeiydah will recover from stomach cancer, the two deputies are battling for supremacy within the terror camp on who will be suited to take the helm of the Shabaab leadership.
Abu Ubeiydah has been at the helm of the terrorist group since 2014 when Ahmed Godane was killed in U.S. drone strike in Barawe.
The uneducated Ubeiydah has been very unpopular among Al-Shabaab fighters. They term his tenure as the worst time ever for the terror group, marred by defections, executions of foreign fighters and terror attacks in and outside Somalia that have left many fighters dead.
There have been a lot of infighting within the terror group since Ubeiydah fell ill. According to intelligence reports, he Shura council, which is in charge of decision making and appointing new leaders for the militants has since split into two.
Majority of Shura members hails from Hawiye clan and they prefer one of their own, voting Hassan Fiidow to succeed Ubeiydah.
Another faction with members from Darod clan, feel shortchanged by the council. The reports say that Mahat Karate – the head of intelligence is the preferred successor for members who hail from Darod clan. Karate is reportedly gathering fighters and suspected that he will attempt a coup against whoever takes over from Ubeiydah.
Karates’ next move is being monitored closely and will determine the future the terror group.
