‘Al Shabaab’ Arabic for “The Youth” is known as Harakat al-Shabaab al-Mujahideen abbreviated as (HSM).
The Somali based Islamist group conducts terror attacks in East Africa countries and primarily in Somalia and Kenya.
Al-Shabaab Terrorists Affiliate Groups have carried out attacks in Uganda, Djibout, and in Tanzania.
Al Shabaab is an affiliate of larger global militant Islamist Al Qaeda Terror Network founded by Osama bin Laden.
Al-Qaeda is based in Afghanistan and has global terror cells.
Elements of the terror group Al Shabaab set other operational base in NEP and Coastal Kenya. Dynamics exist which have lead the Islamist group setting camps in Kenya such as Kenya’s proximity to Somalia and the porous border.
The poorly manned border allows terrorists to infiltrate Kenya, establish patrol bases from which they stage cross border attacks.
Kenya Conducted Military Operations along the border and deep inside Somalia targeting bases and training camps of the terror group. ‘Operation Linda Nchi’ prime goal was securing the country’s sovereignty.
Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) operations against the Al-Shabaab Terrorists Affiliate Groups were remarkable. The Islamist weakened leading to a splintering of its mid-level leadership. The splintering led to the strategic set up of micro-bases within East Africa to advance the Islamists Jihad ideology.
Al-Hijra
Al Hijra an Al-Shabaab Terrorists Affiliate was formed in Majengo area of the capital Nairobi. It has been able to conduct recruitment drives. Al Hijra has active cells in Tanzania.
Al Hijra has been using social-media platforms to publish propaganda about the marginalized Muslims youths. These teachings appeals to young un-employed Muslims who then join the criminal outfit.
Intelligence reports show that Al Hijra receives funds from foreign Salafists while Al Shabaab offers them with terrorism expertise (training).
Al Muhajiroun
Al Muhajiroun, is subordinated to Somalia-based Al Shabaab as it is still at its infancy. Later on, Al Qaeda hopes that it will exists an an independent functional terror outfit. Al Muhajiroun appears to be made up entirely of members of Ansar al Mujahideen.
See also: Al Muhajiroun – Al Qaeda’s New Branch In Kenya
Mombasa Republican Council
Land militancy group at the Coast known as the Mombasa Republican Council (MRC) has been associated with elements of Al-Shabaab. The group goal was to expel the Africans and offer their land to the Arab warlords. Their defeat by Kenyan authorities has left them seeking for an alternative force thereby realigning their ideologies with those of Islamist group, the Al Shabaab.
Areas Currently Suspected to Have Active Al-Shabaab Cells
Al Shabaab active terror cells are believed to be fertile in the following areas, Nairobi’s Eastleigh, Majengo and Hurlingham, South-C, Kibera, and Githurai.
In Mombasa, Kisauni, Majengo, Bondeni and neighbouring areas of Masjid Musa. Garissa, Mandera, Wajir and southern coastal regions such as Kwale and Kilifi, Al Shabaab are believed to maintain active sleeper cells.
Sudan is locked with National Islamic front (NIF) that is a key suspect as it leads same ideologies as the Al Shabaab.
In Ethiopia, the Society of the Muslim Brother commonly known as the Muslim Brotherhood.
