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Shabaab assaults Kenyan airfield used by U.S. forces
Shabaab, al-Qaeda’s regional branch in East Africa, assaulted the Manda Bay Airfield in Kenya earlier today. The extent of the damage is unclear, but at least some aircraft and equipment was set ablaze.
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Mogadishu hotel raided by Shabaab
Yesterday’s assault marks at least the third time the SYL Hotel has been targeted by Shabaab in recent years.
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U.S. unseals indictment against American serving as top Shabaab figure
The Department of Justice has unsealed an updated indictment against Jehad Serwan Mostafa, an American who has long served as a senior figure in Shabaab. The FBI alleges that Mostafa has played a role in Shabaab’s explosives department, among other jobs. In 2011, he served as an emissary for Ayman al-Zawahiri.
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Shabaab moves into Somaliland town
Shabaab claims this is the first time the organization has grabbed territory in Somaliland.
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Al Qaeda’s general command praises recent Shabaab attacks
Two statements, which were released by al Qaeda’s general command and al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, were addressed to Shabaab yesterday in a coordinated messaging campaign.
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US-trained Somali special forces unit targeted by Shabaab
Shabaab, just days after launching assaults on US and Italian troops, has now also claimed two IEDs on a US-trained Somali special forces unit.
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Shabaab strikes American, Italian forces in Somalia
No casualties were reported in either attack, however.
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Islamic State trains in Somalia’s Puntland
The camp is at least the second one ran by the Islamic State in Somalia’s northern Puntland region.
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Shabaab’s jihad against the ‘leaders of disbelief’
Shabaab’s “Then Fight the Leaders of Disbelief” video series features clips of various al Qaeda figures from the past and present. Shabaab argues that Somali hotels are legitimate targets because they serve as “heavily fortified bases” for the government and its allies.
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Shabaab tries to assassinate US diplomat
Shabaab, al Qaeda’s branch in Somalia, claims it tried to assassinate James Swan, a US diplomat and the UN Special Envoy to Somalia.
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Kismayo hotel raided by Shabaab
The al Qaeda branch continues to utilize the suicide assault to target popular hotels and government buildings across Somalia.
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Islamic State claims first attack in Mozambique
It is not immediately clear if today’s statement represents a legitimate claim from Mozambique.
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AFRICOM hits Shabaab, Islamic State in Somalia
AFRICOM has stepped up its targeting of the Islamic State, and continues to pursue its efforts to “degrade” al Qaeda’s branch in Somalia. Unfortunately, the defeat of the two terror groups is not in the cards.
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Shabaab official justifies attacks on civilians while preaching the sanctity of Muslim blood
In a new audio address, Shabaab’s Abu ‘Abdurahman Mahad Warsame warns jihadists that they should avoid spilling the blood of innocent Muslims. However, he justifies the assassination of a Muslim cleric and the murder of civilians.
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Examining the Global Terrorism Landscape
Bill Roggio testifies before the House Committee on Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Middle East, North Africa and International Terrorism, and examines the global terrorism landscape.
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US hits Islamic State in Northern Somalia
The US military launched its second strike against the Islamic State’s network in northern Somalia in the past two weeks.
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US airstrike targets Shabaab in terror haven
The strike takes place as US and African Union backed Somali forces attempt to wrest territory held by Shabaab. US Africa Command recently estimated that Shabaab controls one quarter of Somalia’s territory.
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Shabaab continues to target Mogadishu with car bombs
At least 15 people were killed yesterday when Shabaab, al Qaeda’s branch in East Africa, detonated a car bomb on one of Mogadishu’s busiest roads. The bombing was just the latest in a string of car bombs that have hit the Somali capital this week. Those 15 people were killed when the car bomb detonated near a popular restaurant and hotel on Mogadishu’s Maka al Mukarama road. Another 17 people were left wounded. According to local sources, the majority of those killed and injured were dining in the restaurant at the time of the blast. In a statement released via…
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Shabaab assassinates Deputy Labor Minister in Mogadishu
Shabaab’s suicide assault killed the Deputy Minister and 14 others in Mogadishu.
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Al Qaeda-linked group in Syria praises Taliban, Shabaab operations
The Guardians of Religion organization has praised recent operations conducted by the Taliban and Shabaab.
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US on track to nearly triple airstrike record in Somalia
If the current pace of strikes continues, the US will strike Shabaab 130 times in 2019. Is this a prelude to disengagement?
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Shabaab raids hotel in Mogadishu
Shabaab has continued to demonstrate its ability to strike in heavily fortified areas of Mogadishu.
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US airstrikes kill dozens of Shabaab fighters
The US military’s air campaign against Shabaab, al Qaeda’s branch in East Africa, continues to intensify. AFRICOM launched five more airstrikes against Shabaab over the weekend.
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US military hits Shabaab in haven south of Somali capital
The two latest strikes took place in a town where Shabaab is dominant. The US air campaign against Shabaab continues to intensify and is on pace to quickly outstrip last year’s strike total.
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US military intensifies airstrikes against al Qaeda in Somalia
Since the New Year, US Africa Command has hit Shabaab 14 times. AFRICOM acknowledges that the air campaign is not sufficient to defeat Shabaab, but can only support the Somali government’s efforts.
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Shabaab assassinates more high-ranking Somali military personnel
Shabaab has now assassinated four high-ranking Somali military personnel in the same general vicinity.
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US airstrike kills 24 Shabaab fighters at an ‘encampment’
The pace of strikes against Shabaab’s network in Somalia has intensified despite reports that the US military is seeking to disengage from the war-torn country.
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ODNI releases annual overview of Islamic State and al Qaeda networks
According to the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), al Qaeda’s senior leaders are strengthening the al Qaeda “network’s global command structure.” Meanwhile, the Islamic State “still commands thousands of fighters in Iraq and Syria.” Both groups maintain worldwide networks or affiliates, branches, and supporters.
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Al Qaeda ideologue justifies Shabaab’s war with the Islamic State in Somalia
Bilal Khuraysat, an al Qaeda ideologue in Syria, has released a treatise justifying Shabaab’s war with the Islamic State in Somalia. The Islamic State continues to battle al Qaeda’s branches and like-minded jihadists in several theaters.
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US airstrike kills dozens of Shabaab fighters day after Ethiopian forces ambushed
A US airstrike reportedly targeted Shabaab militants as they went on the offensive following the deadly terrorist attack in Nairobi.
