Will al shabaab survive from their lastest setbacks in Barawe and elsewhere in the country ? – Analysis
The militant group al-Shabab is losing ground rapidly to Somali government troops and allied Kenyan and African Union soldiers. Most recently, the group lost the key port town of Barawe Barawe, which served as a strategic base and an important source of revenue since 2006.
al shabaab’s top leader has been killed in an airstrike by US drones and may led split over leadership although the group assigned a new leader .
Al shabaab was also kicked out many strategic towns including B/weyne, Buulo Burde, Marka and other locations in central Somalia as well as the port town of Kismayo which Axmed Madobe, leader of Jubbaland along with Kenyan troops evicted them in November 2009.
Al-Shabab Timeline
2006 – Launches insurgency to take control of Somalia and impose strict Islamic law
2008 – U.S. declares al-Shabab a foreign terrorist organization
2009 – Seizes control of parts of Mogadishu and the port city Kismayo
2010 – Expands control across central and southern Somalia, carries out deadly bombing in Kampala, Uganda
2011 – Blocks drought/famine aid from areas under its control
2011 – East African leaders declare al-Shabab a regional threat; Ethiopian, Kenyan troops enter Somalia to pursue the group, which is driven out of Mogadishu
2012 – Declares itself an al-Qaida ally, loses ground in Somalia, abandons strategic coastal stronghold Kismayo
2013 – Attacks Mogadishu court complex, killing more than 30 and attacks mall in Nairobi, Kenya, killing at least 69 people
In August 2006 the group secretly formed Harakat Mujahedeen al-Shabab (the Mujahedeen Youth Movement) or al-Shabab.
The group attempted to establish a small Islamic emirate within in the UIC but this move was interrupted by the incursion of Ethiopian troops into Somalia. By late 2006, the UIC was routed and many of its leaders fled the country.
Many people ask : Will al shabaab survive from their lastest setbacks in Barawe and elsewhere in the country ?
Faduma Malta is a civil society activist in Puntland , she said that al shabaab is currently seems to be weakened as well as their leader being shot dead.
“This a heavy blow as their main strongholds were confiscated ..despite that I don’t the radical groups will disappear ..my concern is that others could emerge” said Faduma Malta.
General Abshir Abdi Jama , a consultant of International Police said that al shabaab could survive for the time being and can exist just maximunly for fiur years to come .
“After this period of time their ability will be reduced on suicide attacks that could take effect in Somaliland and Puntland alongide with the disputed locations like Sool-Sanaag , Eyn and Galgala “ said General Abshir.
As their leader was killed and they lost strtegic towns it seems that they are finished” said Abdirashid Omer Sanweyne , a political analylist and a PHD candidate of Uppsala University in Sweden
Somalireport24.com
