-
US Counterterrorism strikes: Tempo remains high in Somalia and Yemen, transparency improves
In 2017, LWJ reported unprecedented levels of airstrikes in Somalia and Yemen. Thus far in 2018, the United States has sustained its high strike tempo in Somalia and improved transparency on its air campaign in Yemen. Strikes in Pakistan have leveled off, however press restrictions make tracking operations there difficult. In Libya, the U.S. has targeted jihadists sparingly.
-
Shabaab releases photos from inside joint US-Somali-Kenyan base
If the photos are confirmed, Shabaab was able to wrestle brief control over the base yesterday. This contradicts official statements released by Somali officials about the assault.
-
Shabaab again assaults base where US soldier died
The same base where a US Special Forces soldier was killed last month was again targeted by Shabaab, this time with two suicide truck bombs.
-
US amends terror designation of Shabaab to include Kenyan ‘wing’
The State Department has amended the terrorist designation of Shabaab, al Qaeda’s branch in East Africa, to include Al-Hijra, which has served as Shabaab’s “wing” in Kenya. In the past, according to the UN, Al-Hijra has played a key role in Shabaab’s planning of terrorist attacks.
-
Shabaab targets presidential palace with suicide assault
Saturday’s suicide attack on the presidential compound in Mogadishu came just a week after a similar strike was conducted on Somalia’s Ministry of Interior.
-
Shabaab targets base where US soldier died with suicide bombing
One day after Shabaab launched a deadly assault in which one US service member was killed, the al Qaeda branch again targeted the base today with a suicide car bomb.
-
US Special Forces soldier killed in Shabaab ambush
At least four other US Special Forces personnel, as well as a Somali special forces soldier, were also wounded. The Special Forces soldiers were ambushed in an area that is a known Shabaab stronghold.
-
US kills 27 Shabaab terrorists in rare northern Somalia strike
A strike that far north, particularly with such a high casualty count, demonstrates the alarming geographic span of Shabaab’s insurgency in the country. In 2018, the US has hit Shabaab targets nearly 1,000 miles apart.
-
US strikes Shabaab again outside Mogadishu
The strike killed 12 Shabaab terrorists.
-
Shabaab video details assassination unit in Mogadishu
The video is one of the first times that the Somali jihadist group has highlighted its assassinations within Mogadishu.
-
US forces hit Shabaab outside Somali capital
On Wednesday, US forces conducted an airstrike 15 miles southwest of the Somali capital Mogadishu against al Qaeda’s branch in East Africa.
-
Somali intelligence agency arrests two Islamic State members in Mogadishu
The arrests come a month after another Islamic State member was arrested in Mogadishu. Additionally, the Islamic State also claimed another assassination inside the country yesterday.
-
US Military reviews possible civilian casualties in Yemen, Somalia
Two regional combatant commands acknowledged reports of civilian casualties in recent operations.
-
Somali markets targeted in Shabaab explosions
Two busy markets in southern Somalia were targeted by deadly explosions this week, which left at least 14 people dead and many others wounded.
-
Analysis: Islamic State ramps up attack claims in Somalia
The Islamic State has claimed several attacks inside Somalia in the past month, further outpacing the past two years in claimed attacks in the country. While the Islamic State has had a difficult time establishing a foothold inside the country, its claimed operations paints a picture of its areas of operation and types of operations it conducts.
-
US continues to disrupt Shabaab’s attack campaign
In the past six months, US forces have thrice interdicted Shabaab car bombs and prevented imminent attacks against civilians in the Somalia capital, Mogadishu.
-
US continues to disrupt Shabaab in Jilib, Somalia
The United States attacked al Qaeda’s branch in Somalia in the southern town of Jilib, a recurring strike location and known Shabaab safe haven.
-
US strikes Shabaab in central Somalia
The location of last weekend’s strike highlights the geographical range of US operations against Shabaab, and the scope of the al Qaeda branch’s insurgency.
-
US strikes Shabaab south of Somalia’s capital
US forces conducted nine strikes in Somalia this year, all of which have targeted al Qaeda’s affiliate in the country.
-
US lists Shabaab’s leader in Kenya, wanted commander as global terrorists
State added Ahmad Iman Ali, the leader of Shabaab’s network in Kenya, and Abdifatah Abubakar Abdi, a dangerous Kenyan commander, to its list of Specially Designated Global terrorists.
-
Shabaab targets Somali, African Union troops in southern Somalia
Shabaab has claimed a number of attacks in recent days across southern Somalia, including briefly recapturing the strategic town of Balad just north of Mogadishu.
-
Shabaab eulogizes ally of rebellious American jihadist
Khattab al Masri, a foreign fighter who sided with Omar Hammami during his dispute with Shabaab, reconciled with the terrorist group and was killed while fighting Ethiopian forces in 2016.
-
US concentrates Somalian air campaign around Jilib
Strikes in 2018 have been concentrated in and around the town of Jilib, whihc has been identified as a Shabaab safe haven.
-
Shabaab claims deadly assault on presidential palace in Mogadishu
The coordinated suicide bombings and subsequent assaults are the first major attack of its kind to hit Mogadishu this year.
-
US kills four Shabaab jihadists in Somali airstrike
US forces killed four Shabaab terrorists in a strike in southern Somalia. The strike is the second since Feb. 19.
-
US strike kills three Shabaab fighters in Somalia
US forces have conducted four strikes in Somalia in 2018, all of which targeted Shabaab.
-
US says 30 children freed during raid on Shabaab ‘indoctrination center’
US Africa Command confirmed today that US forces took part “in an advisory capacity” in a Somali-led raid on an “indoctrination center” operated by Shabaab, al Qaeda’s branch in East Africa. Five people, some of whom were “under the age of 18,” were killed in the Jan. 18 operation. 30 other “male children” were freed.
-
US strike kills 4 Shabaab terrorists
The operation occurred approximately 50 kilometers northwest of Kismayo, the site of another recent airstrike.
-
State Department designates 3 al Qaeda figures as global terrorists
One of the leaders “planned” the March 2015 Bardo Museum attack in Tunis, which was claimed by the Islamic State. Another serves as Shabaab’s deputy emir.
-
US strikes Shabaab outside Somali capital
In the first strike of 2018, US forces have again halted an imminent car bomb attack intended for Somalia’s capital.
