Al-Shabaab is a Somali group that, although it claims to be based on Islam, is considered a terrorist organization. The organization is also known as Ash-Shabaab, Hizbul Shabaab and Popular Resistance Movement in the Land of the Two Migrations. Al-Shabaab is Arabic for Youth and Hizbul Shabaab stands for Youth Party.
Quran as a starting point
Al-Shabaab was founded in 2004 as a youth wing of the UIR (Union of Islamic Courts). The UIR wanted to bring peace to Somalia by fighting the ruling warlords, who did not belong to a religious order. The UIR based its principles on the Koran.
Fight against warlords
Due to the UIR’s fight against the warlords, a large part of Somalia was already in their hands in the second half of 2006. They controlled the capital Mogadishu and important cities such as Beledweyne, Jowhar and Kismayo. Only the northern regions and some areas in the south were not controlled by them. Afterwards, the UIR also wanted to take on the Somali transitional government and neighboring Ethiopia.
Al-Shabaab, UIR secession
However, from December 2006 onwards they suffered defeats and a large number of Al-Shabaab members split from the UIR and went underground. Al-Shabaab became a rebel army and, as the UIR had wanted to do, targeted the Somali transitional government. Al-Shabaab’s aim was also similar to that of the UIR, namely to establish an Islamic state in Somalia based on the Koran.
Progress of the battle by Al-Shabaab
After the UIR’s defeats, the moderate wing joined the transitional government after peace talks. Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, the former leader of the UIR, became president of Somalia on January 31, 2009. However, Al-Shabaab continued the fight and was gradually supported by other militant Islamic organizations and foreign mujahideen fighters. The remaining militant members of the UIR founded the PRM which worked closely with Al-Shabaab.
Somalia now has another president, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, who it is hoped can put the country on course for a better future.
Al Shabaab over the years
Acts of violence
Although formally part of the UIR from 2004, Al-Shabaab operated virtually independently from the start and was regarded as the revolutionary guard of the UIR. Because the fighters acted more militantly, they were regularly involved in violence. They plundered villages, abused citizens who were dressed too provocatively and did not shy away from massacres.
Guerilla methods
Around 2006, the jihadists’ fight was mainly concentrated in and around Mogadishu, causing 400,000 civilians to flee the city in 2007. The battle consisted of guerrilla methods such as armed robbery, assassination and suicide bombing.
Persuade the population
In 2008, this method of fighting changed and Al-Shabaab tried to win over the population by distributing money and food in the villages. As part of the changed fighting method, Al-Shabaab in southern Somalia entered into discussions with clan elders and tried to convey their good intentions. The success of this method led to the introduction of Sharia (Islamic law) in a number of villages and Al-Shabaab controlled most of southern Somalia. But in the meantime they also continued with terrorist attacks and suicide bombings.
Struggle against foreign powers
After the Ethiopian army withdrew from Somalia in January 2009, Al-Shabaab targeted the African peacekeeping force in Somalia. To accommodate the rebels, Sharif Sheikh Ahmed approved the introduction of Sharia law. However, the rebels continued the fight because there were still foreign powers in the country.
At war with Kenyan army
In October 2011, the Kenyan army declared war on Al-Shabaab, partly due to allegations of kidnappings of Western tourists and Doctors Without Borders employees. As a result, the Kenyan army carried out air strikes, including on the Al-Shabaab base.
Dollars offered
In 2012, the United States offered up to $33 million for information on Al-Shabaab leaders in Somalia. 7 million was offered to the leader and 4 million each to close associates. The US held the terrorist organization responsible for attacks in Somalia, Uganda and Kenya.
Intelligence agent captured
A French intelligence agent captured by Al Shabaab has been chained up for three years. During a liberation operation in 2013, two French soldiers and seventeen Somalis were killed and the officer was reportedly executed by Al-Shabaab.
Recruiting continues
These and other atrocities continue to shock the world and Al-Shabaab continues to recruit fighters to fight in the jihad (Islamic holy war). In Somalia, young people are often forced to join as jihadists.
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