Al-Shabaab terror group issued a statement through a pro-terror website Somali Memo claiming its deputy leader and intelligence chief, Mahad Karate, also known as Abdirahim Mohamed Warsame was still alive.
In the statement there was no evidence that Karate was dead or alive.
KDF carried out airstrikes and subsequent Special Forces operation that led to the capture of one Amniyaat (Al-Shabaab intelligence wing) official alive.
Al-Shabaab statement is an attempt to end speculation on Karate besides ensure the terror group ranks and command remains inspired. However, the death of the previous intelligence chief was denied only for a video honoring him to produced by Al-Shabaab terrorists Al-Kataib media in January 2016, thus verifying his death.
There has been scenarios, though, where military intelligence deep cover assets provided information which was not accurate. In 2014, a report confirming the death of the terror group spokesperson Sheikh Ali Dheere was inaccurate. Ali Dheere had been injured and healed then made a public appearance. In 2015, the US Pentagon announced the killing of Abu Abdalla, the Wali of Shabelle and top tactician in a drone strike only for Abdalla to resurface in Marka in early February 2015.
In all three incidents, the information about the kills were based on the kills presence at the area of military operations. This means the aspect of ‘targeting’ is very true. The targets had been identified and intelligence assets were sure of the kills. What is not concise is evidence of the kills, which, of-course, is difficult to verify.
It is important to note that, Al-Shabaab may opt to refute the claim and blame Karate’s death on other causes for 2 reasons, martyrdom, and the sacrilege of denying a Shahid’s death. Both are the ethos and prime prizes of jihad. Many minions in the ranks wish such glory and recognition though they die miserable, poor, and painfully.
According to Kenya’s Military Intelligence, Special Forces carried out an operation that led to the killing of 11 high value targets including Mahad Karate, also known as Abdirahim Mohamed Warsame.
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