Midweek East Africa Counterterrorism Intelligence Brief in Period of August 7th – August 11th: Tracking and Monitoring Al-Shabaab’s Activity in East Africa (Kenya and Somalia)

The Al-Qaeda affiliated Al-Shabaab continue to stage attacks in the East African nation of Somalia and her neighbor Kenya. Its notable that target is countries become elusive citing coronavirus protocols advocating against large gathering. That notwithstanding, Al-Shabaab militants are still conducting attacks especially on hard targets though soft targets also have suffered casualties from crossfire.

Though the Somali armed group Al-Shabaab has lost key towns in central and southern regions to the country’s army forces and African Union Forces (AMISOM), they still hold large swathes in the region where they continue to attacks targeting the coalition forces’ bases and convoys.

In about five days, the Al-Qaeda aligned Islamists Al-Shabaab have claimed nearly ten low intensity attacks, all in the horn of African nation, Somalia as recorded below. Counter-terrorism operations in the past couple of days have dealt huge blows to the militant group.

Recently Claimed Attacks (August 7^th – August 11^th)

• On August 7^th, heavily armed Al-Shabaab militants launched a massive attack targeting an AMISOM base manned and operated by Ethiopian troops in Luuq district of Gedo region of Somalia. Al-Shabaab through its propaganda media wing claimed responsibility of the attacks saying it killed on soldier and wounded several others in a fierce gun battle.
• On August 7^th, a senior Somali Intelligence officer survived a grenade attack from suspected Al-Shabaab operatives. Initial reports indicate that the attackers hurled a hand grenade at the home of Abdullahi Abdi Rage in Guri’el town, Galgadud region of central Somalia. The grenade managed to hit his house but no deaths were reported.
• On August 7^th, at around 1935hrs, Al-Shabaab fighters attempted attack on Jubaland Security Forces’ (JSF) DARWISH Camp in Afmadhow, Lower Juba region of Somalia from general direction of NE and lasted for less than a minute. No casualties were reported.
• On August 8^th, Al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for another attack targeting a police station in the neighborhood of Huriwaa, Mogadishu, killing two police officers and wounding three others.
• On August 8^th, a SVBIED was detonated on Saturday at the gate of the Somali military base killing at least 8 government soldiers and wounding 14 others near Bar-Ayan in the capital Mogadishu. Initial reports indicate that an Al-Shabab suicide bomber detonated an explosive-laden vehicle close to the gate of SNA, 12th April Army Brigade base located near the newly reopened sports stadium in Narta Nabadda district.
• On August 9^th, Al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for killing a top presidential guard commander in Galkayo town that lies between the borders of Puntland and Galmudug states. Police reports indicate that Colonel Osman Omar Mohamed was killed by local militia involved in drugs business and linked to the Islamists Al-Shabaab. Four other people wounded in the clashes.
• On August 9^th, Al-Shabaab claimed attack on Somali police near a livestock market in Mogadishu. Initial reports indicate that an ambush raid targeted a gathering of Police officers in the Suuqa Xoolaha neighborhood of Huriwaa distict.  One police officer was killed and two others were wounded in the attack. Yaqshid and Huriwaa districts of Mogadishu have been frequent scenes of Al-Shabaab raids targeting on government security forces.
• On August 10^th, At least 10 people, including 5 security forces and 4 Al-Shabaab inmates were killed following fierce fighting inside Mogadishu central prison. 1 inmate escaped while two other wounded attackers were captured. Initial reports indicate that Al-Shabaab inmates gained access to weapons and attacked the prison guards.
• On August 10^th, Al-Shabaab claim two attacks in Lower Juba region of Somalia. One attack targeted SNA troops in Bula Gaduud and the second raid in Yantooy in the outskirts of the port city of Kismayo.

Latest Counterterrorism Interventions/Operations

Joint forces continue to mount concerted pressure on the Islamists’ Al-Shabaab from across different towns, localities and regions of the war-torn Somalia. In the past few days, counter terrorism operations have significantly upset the the Al-Qaeda branch in Somalia with more than 30 Al-Shabaab militants being killed and several fleeing with injuries in army operations.

• At least 8 Al-Qaeda affiliated Al-Shabaab militants were on Sunday killed and several others wounded in army operation conducted near Awdheengle town, in the Lower Shabelle region of southern Somalia.
• Somali army confirmed that its forces killed at least 17 Al-Shabaab fighters and injured more than 20 others after a fierce gun fight in Daynunay village outskirts of Baidoa in Bay region, southern Somalia.
• the US-trained Danab forces seized control of a strategic highway in Somali; Lafaha-Raga highway which runs from the strategic port of Kismayo and killed at least six militants.
• Somali military supported by allied forces killed Al-Shabaab administrator in Lower Shabelle region following security operations. The administrator identified as Osman Gaab was in charge of Awdhegle, Mubarak and Darusalam villages.
• Asenior Al Shabaab-finance officer identified as Ali Garweyne and four of his bodyguards was killed during a military operation carried out in lower Juba region.
• At least two Al-Shabaab key figures were killed in drone strikes carried out in Lower Shabelle and Middle Juba regions. Monday’s strikes were conducted in Hawey and Sabalale of southern Somalia. Two high-ranking militant’s commanders identified as Daahir Mo’alin and Ahmed Nour were killed.

Notable, central and southern regions of Somalia have been persistent theaters of confrontations between Al-Shabaab and coalition forces. The militants continue to stage ambush attacks on military bases and their convoys, taking advantage of thick vegetation to lay IEDs on MSRs which have also become a frequent norm.

However, more concerted COIN operations are needed in order to sustain these made gains citing the fluidity of these two regions; central and southern of Somalia which have remained operational areas of contestation between Al-Shabaab and coalitions partner forces.