The Al-Qaeda branch in Somalia, Harakat Shabaab Mujahideen is desperately looking for weaponry as their arsenal wears and tears away. Intelligence reports show the group has been unable to refurbish its ageing arsenal particularly the ZUU anti-aircraft, PKM Guns, and the AK-collection, and this has significantly weakened its capability. Despite conducting attacks on military bases in Somalia and robbing weaponry, the group hasn’t replenished its stockpile. Robbed guns are often badly damaged and in most cases too few. The group is unable to import weapons from the gulf and other areas due to a robust counter-piracy and contraband shipping measures by the Republic of Kenya and the EU-NAVFOR Somalia operations.
Military intelligence reports show that the group has instructed its various kitaba’s, particularly in AMISOM-Sectors under Ethiopian and Kenyan military to conduct attacks targeting Ethiopian and Kenyan AMISOM contingents and steal weaponry. Both countries are believed to have some of the most sophisticated military weapons in East and Central Africa. The terror group is offering individual fighters cash rewards after successful raids.
These events will culminate to increased terrorist attacks on AMISOM bases. The attacks may not be limited to Kenya and Ethiopia. Somali National Army has been a primary target and has suffered some of the most devastating setbacks after the terrorist completely overrun bases. A Raid on a Danaab Special Forces base in Lower Shabelle wiped out the base. The militants took away sophisticated weapons, Special Forces tactical vehicles, and communication equipment.
The terror group wants to upgrade its battle capability. Battle capability is largely factored by both weapon superiority and troop’s strength. Already the Al-Qaeda branch in Somalia, Harakat Shabaab Mujahideen has demonstrated its capability to rout the Somali army at any given opportunity. Maybe the group wants to upgrade its firepower as it prepares to escalate its terrorism activities in Somalia.
