Alshabab, which means the youth in arabic, started as a small faction of radicalized islamists in somalias islamic courts union, an alliance of sharia courts. This brief synopsis of al shabaab is a thoroughly enjoyable read behind the group that has caused so much turmoil in east africa. It is a golden chance for alshabaab to pick itself up off the mat. The history of alshabaab south african history online. Alshabab remains capable of carrying out massive attacks in somalia and surrounding. Dec 22, 2017 it was forced out of the capital, mogadishu, in august 2011 following an offensive spearheaded by about 22,000 african union au troops, and left the vital port of kismayo in september 2012. Shabaab control and presence, al shabaab target groups in areas with amisom presence, recruitment to al shabaab, and possible al shabaab target groups in areas under al shabaab control. Treasury department sanctions under president barack obamas executive order concerning somalia, issued. Shabaab al mujahideen announces merger with hizbulislam pdf. In june 1910, a similar incident occurred in the coastal village of hays where the dervishes, out of religious fundamentalism, exhumed the body of a british sailor who had died at sea and buried there. Dalha ali has spent the past five years living and studying at alhidaya mosque in mogadishu, learning the ways.
Al shabaabs history with humanitarian assistance critical. Al shabab formally pledged allegiance to al qaeda in 2012, though ties between them existed since 2008, when the americanborn al qaeda in the arabian peninsula aqap cleric anwar al awlaki released a statement praising al shabab for fighting against the u. Ethiopia, a part of the anti shabaab coalition, is somalias ancient. Background report al shabaab attack on garissa university in kenya on thursday, april 2, gunmen attacked garissa university in eastern kenya, near the border with somalia. Modern history of al shabaab while much of the icus leadership quickly fled the advancing ethiopians, members of al shabaab instead retreated into the swampy south of the country, from where they launched a bloody guerilla campaign against the ethiopian military. The ensuing years were marked by governance weakness, interclan war fare, and warlord control over much of. Alshabaab originated as a militia affiliated with the islamic courts union icu, a federation of. He holds a seat on the shura council and is believed to be in charge of al shabaab s operations in puntland. Other central members of the group, such as mahad karate, sheikh hassan dahir aweys, or the current emir, ahmed diriye aka abu ubaidah, are characterized in. Al shabaab s history with humanitarian assistance katherine zimmerman the united nations recently declared that there is a famine in lower shabelle and bakool regions and nearfamine conditions throughout southern somalia. The ensuing years were marked by governance weakness, interclan war fare, and warlord control over much of somalia. The rise of a jihadi movement in a country at war harakat al shabaab al mujaheddin in somalia roland marchal senior research fellow at cnrs sciencespo paris march 2011 this report is independent and does not represent the views of her majestys government. This slide allows me to summarize doctrine and objectives. In east africa, al shabaab is the biggest threat to the security of the region.
The group frequently attacked international targets in somalia, and it conducted a terrorist attack in kampala in 2010 as continued. Its a great introduction for those new to the topic, but its also a landmark work and absolutely required reading for. Country policy and information note somalia south and. Al shabaab definitely has a hierarchal structure, since each unit answers to a central leader. Consequently al shabaab has retreated to the countryside having lost control of its urban strongholds, including mogadishu, baidoa and kismayo. On the dervishes deeds, see jardine, the mad mullah, p. According to the national counterterrorism center, the groups rankandfile members hail from disparate local groups, sometimes recruited by force. Roland marchal senior research fellow at cnrs sciencespo. Al shabaab arabic for the youth, an islamic militant group that seeks to create an islamic state in somalia, formed in 2004 as the militant wing of the islamic courts union icu, a network of islamist militant tribes. Al zawahiri approved and welcomed al shabaab as al qaedas somaliabased affiliate in a 15minute video response, stating today, i have glad tidings for the muslim ummah that will please the believers and disturb the disbelievers, which is the joining of the shabaab al mujahideen movement in somalia to qaeda al jihad, to support the jihadi. Easo country of origin information report south and central somalia country overview 9 disclaimer this report was written according to the easo coi report methodology 20121. Beginning in 2006, the group waged an insurgency against somalias transitional federal government tfg. Alshabaab was formed as the militant wing of the islamic courts union icu, a coalition of 11 local sharia courts, as early as 2004 but did not become truly active until 2006. In seventeen chapters the book by maruf and joseph outlines the emergence and the yearby year developments of alshabaab.
Apr 24, 2019 alshabaab is portrayed as a resilient group that functions in complex ways which are not in line with a cliche image sometimes drawn about such groups as manned by brainwashed, deathaffine zombies. The secret history of alqaedas most powerful allyrecounts the rise, fall, and resurgence of this overlooked terrorist organization and provides an intimate understanding of its connections with alqaeda. Using existing research and original interviews, this study outlines al shabaab s history and fundin. It once held sway over the capital of mogadishu and large portions of the somali countryside, but in. A brief history of somalias alshabab terror group huffpost. Country information and guidance south and central somalia. Background report alshabaab attack on garissa university in kenya on thursday, april 2, gunmen attacked garissa university in eastern kenya, near the border with somalia. Despite the growing challenges, alshabaab was still capable of carrying out spectacular attacks that captured international attention. The report is based on carefully selected sources of information. Al shabaab militants attacked kenyas westgate mall in 2011, sparking a fourday siege in which at least sixtyeight people were killed. Al shabaabs primary goal is to topple the somali government and establish an islamic emirate within the country guided by a strict reading of shariah law. This came after the al shabaab were blamed for a series of. On al shabaab s activities, see hansen, al shabaab, p. Somalia suffered a severe famine during 2011, further weakening alshabaab.
Alshabaab and alqaeda appear to coordinate the administration of training camps in the south. Harakat al shebab al mujahideen the movement of mujahidin youth, or al shebab, is an qaedaal aqaffiliated violent jihadist group based in southern and central somalia. The secret history of al qaedas most powerful ally harun maruf, dan joseph one of the most powerful islamic militant groups in africa, al shabaab exerts talibanlike rule over millions in somalia and poses a growing threat to stability in the horn of africa. This piece is part of a series of al shabaab leadership profiles fuad mohamed qalaf, also known as shongole, is a senior member in al shabaab. Downbutnotout hspiissue%brief%22 august27,%20 navan. Al shabaab claimed that its attacks in kenya were meant to force kenyan troops to withdraw from somalia. The secret history of al qaedas most powerful ally recounts the rise, fall, and resurgence of this overlooked terrorist organization and provides an intimate understanding of. Al shabaabs foreign threat to somalia by david shinn david shinn is an adjunct professor in the elliott school of international affairs at george washington university. August 31, 2015 photo of an al shabaab brigade tweeted from an islamic state affiliated twitter account. It began as a logistical network to support muslims fighting against the soviet union during the afghan war and transformed into the active terrorist organization known for.
Its range is enhanced by training camps from which many western muslims have graduated. Al shabaab is composed of many independent cells, units and divisions, which answer to multiple figureheads. In april 2015, al shabaab militants attacked kenyas garissa university college, killing at least 147. Alshabab formally pledged allegiance to alqaeda in 2012, though ties between them existed since 2008, when the americanborn alqaeda in the arabian peninsula aqap cleric anwar alawlaki released a statement praising alshabab for fighting against the u. Ethiopia, a part of the antishabaab coalition, is somalias ancient. Inside al shabaab is the definitive history of the somali militant group, rich with newly disclosed details about the groups genesis and its ties to al qaeda. The attackers killed 147 and injured 79 before detonating suicide vests when cornered by security forces. That is certainly true of alshabaab, which was born out of the islamic court union, a loose formation of islamic judicial systems that managed to restore some sort of civil order after years of a violent anarchy in somalia, opening the mogadishu airport and. Rather it is a wellstructured organization composed of several independent components. Al zawahiri approved and welcomed alshabaab as al qaedas somaliabased affiliate in a 15minute video response, stating today, i have glad tidings for the muslim ummah that will please the believers and disturb the disbelievers, which is the joining of the shabaab al mujahideen movement in somalia to qaeda al jihad, to support the jihadi. This combination challenged alshabaabs position in the south and drove the islamists from the important port city of kismayo. It was forced out of the capital, mogadishu, in august 2011 following an offensive spearheaded by about 22,000 african union au troops, and left. The impact of restricting and depleting al shabaab s financing 27. Al shabaab s composition is multiethnic, with its leadership positions mainly occupied by afghanistan and iraqtrained ethnic somalis and foreigners.
The icu took over somalias government in 2006, but the coalition was removed from power with help from the united states mere months later. Not much of his history is known other than to have undergone considerable islamic teaching in saudi arabia and. Foreign service, including as ambassador to ethiopia and state department coordinator for somalia during the international intervention in. This book explores the history of the somalia based al harakat al shabaab from 2005 to 2012, offering the first indetail history of one of the most important al. The impact of al shabab terrorist attacks in kenya. Drawing from interviews with former alshabaab militants, including highranking officials, military commanders, police, and foot soldiers, authors harun maruf and dan joseph. Yet since its inception in 20062007, alshabab has always issued global rhetoric. Its a great introduction for those new to the topic, but its also a landmark work and absolutely required reading for those who study and work to counter terrorism. Somalias transitional federal government and its international and regional backers have sought military victory over the extremist group of al shabaab, branded by the u. The left picture shows the clan structure of somalia, which was the factional dividing line in the civil war. Background report alshabaab attack on garissa university in. Alshabaabs spokesman ali dhere was at a home in the central town of galhareri on the evening of september 1 when his phone rang. Oct 04, 20 that is certainly true of al shabaab, which was born out of the islamic court union, a loose formation of islamic judicial systems that managed to restore some sort of civil order after years of a. According to mathew thomas 20, al shabaab originated from the remnants of the islamic court union icu also known as al ittihad mahakem al islayiya, which used to be a union of different islamic militant groups in somalia after the collapse of the government in 1991.
Their origins are not clearly known, but former members say hizbul shabaab was founded as early as 2004. Historical background to the development of alshabaab. That is certainly true of alshabaab, which was born out of the islamic court union, a loose formation of islamic judicial systems that managed to restore some sort of civil order after years of a violent anarchy in somalia, opening the mogadishu airport and earning the support from a somali majority. The icu began as a loose grouping of sharia courts that by 2006 had grown into a powerful islamic militia which enjoyed control over. A few al qaeda regional affiliates and jihadist networks have exhibited an intent or capability to attack inside the homeland. Easo country of origin information report somalia security. This paper examines the funding sources of the terrorist group harakat al shabaab al mujahideen. Alshabab, or the youth, is an islamist insurgent group based in somalia. Aqam futures project case study series july 2011 project. Previously, in september 2015, dis published the report south central somalia country of origin information for use in the asylum determination process3. Who is al shabaab and how did they become a major force in somalia. The roots of alshabaab lie with al itihaad al islamiya aiai, a militant group of. Jun 12, 2014 who is al shabaab and how did they become a major force in somalia. Forest have determined that al sha baab is aided in its quest by some fundamental realities of somali culture and history.
Al qaeda, broadbased militant islamist organization founded by osama bin laden in the late 1980s. It once held sway over the capital of mogadishu and large portions of the somali countryside, but in recent years an african unionled military campaign has pushed it back from major population centers. The secret history of al qaedas most powerful allyrecounts the rise, fall, and resurgence of this overlooked terrorist organization and provides an intimate understanding of its connections with al qaeda. In 2011, the kenyan government started an operation called operation linda nchi meaning operation protect the nation. However, the al shabaab is not politically organized. Country policy and information note somalia south and central. Omar hammami aka al amriki, a uscitizen of syrianamerican origin, is featured as important actor who represents the foreign fighters who at one point played a major role in al shabaab. The history and ideology of a militant islamist group jarle hansen, stig on. The ethiopian occupation was responsible pdf for transforming the group from a small. As aweys importance grew within the icu, he passed leadership of al shabaab on to one of his followers, aden hashi ayro. Amisom african union mission in somalia amniyad al shabaab s intelligence w ing as al shabaab asne al shabaab northeast aswj ahlu sunna wal jamaa cctv closedcircuit television cid criminal investigations department danab. Formed in 2006 by young men alshabaab means the youth in arabic who were the armed militia for the islamic courts union, somalias onetime rulers, it has been fighting the countrys westernbacked government and its allies in a war to impose a strict interpretation of islamic law. Al shabaab, however, still controls a number of rural areas and supply routes between towns see al shabaab. What is missing from the book, however, is female voices.
Alshababs attack on nairobis westgate shopping mall in september 20 led many to question whether it signified the groups increased focus on international targets. The history and ideology of a militant islamist group. Harakat alshabaab almujahideen more commonly known as alshabaab. Nonetheless, according to a committee on foreign relations report pdf to the senate in 2010. Al shabab is an offshoot of some of those movements. This has made al shabaab a significant security concern to several countries, including the united states. Jul 12, 2015 al shabaab is composed of many independent cells, units and divisions, which answer to multiple figureheads. Alshabaab originated as a militia affiliated with the islamic courts union icu, a federation of alshabaab, somali. Modern history of al shabaab while much of the icus leadership quickly fled the advancing ethiopians, members of al shabaab instead retreated into the swampy south of the country, from where they launched a bloody guerilla campaign against the ethiopian military in somalia. Today, al shabaab is a capable fighting force that implements a strict version of sharia in key areas of somalia. For more on the history and development of al shabaab check out this report from the center for strategic and international studies, which we relied on heavily for this article. Al qaeda will continue its efforts to encourage key regional affiliates and jihadist networks to pursue a global agenda. His assistant answered and handed the phone to dhere, who spoke to the caller and then told the assistant, leave.
Indeed, one of the movements key strengths has long been its ability to manage divergence and. Alshabaab terrorists propaganda and the kenya government. Amisom african union mission in somalia amniyad alshabaabs intelligence w ing as alshabaab asne alshabaab northeast aswj ahlu sunna wal jamaa cctv closedcircuit television cid criminal investigations department danab. Alshabaab experienced another setback in september 2012 when they lost control of kismayo, a port city in southern somalia and a major source of revenue for the group.
The alshabaab faces multiple internal divisions over clan, leadership, tactics, and ideology which a new unity government can exploit to convince parts of the al shabaab to abandon the movement and gradually outmaneuver, marginalize, and defeat the core hardlinersken menkhaus, 2009. Pdf this article sets out to explore the evolution, operational strategy and transnational dimensions of harakat alshabab. A history of somalias insurgent movement it was formed in 2006 by young men and until recently controlled most of southern somalia but now its control of home territory has. The four bullet points are my key points about al shabab. The organisation known as alshabaab originally emerged from the islamic courts union icu movement in somalia. Following the withdrawal, ahmed abdi godane, the emir of alshabaab, announced an official alliance between alshabaab and alqaida. Shabaab control and presence, alshabaab target groups in areas with amisom presence, recruitment to alshabaab, and possible alshabaab target groups in areas under alshabaab control.
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