An intelligence report reveals of a major split in Al-Shabaab due to acute mistrust among its members.
The evident mistrust has seen foreign fighters being killed over spying suspicion while splinter cells have been reported.
Report ads that some splinter cells have opted allegiance to ISIS while others remain affiliated to Al-Qaeda and subsequently more rivalry expected between the two factions.
The split has led to infighting and accusations within the insurgent group resulting in the killings of many fighters on suspicion of spying.
The brutal conflict between two high ranking Shebab commanders; Sheikh Said Balbul and Abu Karim was reported in April in Somalia. The two who had declared allegiance to ISIS were later executed. Following the executions, an Al-Shabaab militant identified as Abu Musab, released a video clip condemning the execution while he too pledged allegiance to ISIS.
The reports also adds that a number of younger fighters have surrendered and pledged allegiance to the government. For instance, on May 13, , a senior Al Shabaab commander, Abdullahi Bahar was killed during clashes between two warring factions professing allegiance to rival international terror groups in Baardhere.
The fighting is said to have been triggered when Abdullahi reportedly contacted Somalia government officials in Mogadishu in his quest to surrender.
The intelligence reports note that, the foreign fighters with more funds and weapons pose a major threat that shifts power from the older indigenous Al-Shabaab. The report additionally note that the infighting have further led to several Al-Shabaab combat failures and loss of territory in the hands of AMISOM troops.
