Al Qaeda East Africa Archives

Jihadi history: Kenyan detainee transferred out of Guantanamo shows the extent of Al Qaeda’s jihad in East Africa

Caleb Weiss | December 18, 2024

The US Department of Defense (DoD) announced yesterday that longtime Guantanamo Bay detainee Mohammed Abdul Malik Bajabu was transferred to his native Kenya. Bajabu’s history presents an interesting historical look into Al Qaeda’s early activities in East Africa, acting as a reminder that the African Jihad, currently the global hotspot of jihadist activity, has been decades in the making.

US launches first drone strike of the year in Somalia

Bill Roggio and Caleb Weiss | January 23, 2024

Three Shabaab members were killed in what U.S. Africa Command described as a “collective self-defense airstrike” in the Lower Juba region. Shabaab, Al Qaeda’s branch in East Africa, remains a dangerous threat.

New Jersey man arrested for attempting to join Shabaab, inspired by support of Hamas

Bill Roggio and Caleb Weiss | December 29, 2023

The man reportedly traveled from Egypt to Kenya, where he planned to use Shabaab facilitators to cross into Somalia. The American citizen was motivated by his support of Hamas and desire to target the U.S. for its support of Israel.

Shabaab claims several al-Qaeda leaders present during infamous ‘Black Hawk Down’ incident

Caleb Weiss | November 1, 2023

Mahad Karate, a senior official and a deputy emir of Shabaab, al-Qaeda’s branch for East Africa, again named several al-Qaeda leaders present in Mogadishu during the infamous ‘Black Hawk Down’ incident in 1993.

U.S. offers $5 million reward for Shabaab’s deputy emir

Bill Roggio | October 18, 2023

Abukar Ali Adan, the deputy leader of Shabaab, Al Qaeda’s branch in East Africa, is a dangeorus commander who has led the group’s military wing and has ties to other Al Qaeda branches in African and on the Arabian Peninsula.

Shabaab celebrates Hamas-led invasion of Israel, calls people to jihad

Caleb Weiss | October 11, 2023

Shabaab congratulates Palestinian militant factions for their “victories” over Jews. This is not the first time Shabaab has interjected itself into the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Somalia suffers worst month on record for suicide bombings

Caleb Weiss | October 6, 2023

At least 14 successful or attempted suicide bombings were reported in Somalia in September. This is the single highest monthly total since Shabaab began its suicide bombing operations in 2006.

AFRICOM launches ‘self-defense’ airstrikes against Shabaab in Somalia

Bill Roggio and Caleb Weiss | July 20, 2023

AFRICOM has launched four airstrikes against Al Qaeda’s branch in Somalia this month as it continues to provide air support for the Somali National Army.

Analysis: Shabaab takes advantage of slowed counter-offensive

Caleb Weiss | June 12, 2023

In the face of delayed or stalled offensive action taken against it, Shabaab seeks to rally its forces.

Shabaab storms army base in central Somalia

Bill Roggio and Caleb Weiss | June 1, 2023

Though Somalia says the raid was repelled, the major attack nevertheless came just days after a similar raid was conducted on a Ugandan military base in southern Somalia.

Shabaab overruns Ugandan base in Somalia

Caleb Weiss | May 27, 2023

The massive raid comes as Shabaab is facing its biggest challenge to its rule and territory in over a decade.

U.S. military strikes Shabaab in central Somalia

Bill Roggio and Caleb Weiss | January 24, 2023

The U.S. military targeted Shabaab, al Qaeda’s branch in East Africa, in a pair of strikes in central Somalia over the past several days. The first attack took place on Jan. 20 near the town of Galcad in Somalia’s central region of Galguduud. U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) said it killed at least 30 Shabaab members […]

State places $10 million bounty on Kenyan Shabaab commander

Bill Roggio and Caleb Weiss | January 12, 2023

Mohamoud Abdi Aden is the second Kenyan-Somali the U.S. State Department has placed a $10 million bounty on in the last week. Shabaab now has five leaders with $10 million bounties, the most for any Sunni jihadist group.

U.S. offers $10 million bounty for top Shabaab military commander

Bill Roggio and Caleb Weiss | January 6, 2023

The U.S. has now placed a $10 million bounty on Maalim Ayman, the leader of Shabaab’s military wing in Kenya. Maalim Ayman now joins the ranks of other high-profile Sunni jihadis around the world demanding a similar price tag.

Another long hotel siege ends in Mogadishu

Caleb Weiss | November 28, 2022

Another hotel siege perpetrated by Shabaab in Mogadishu was ended by Somali security forces almost twenty four hours after it began. The al Qaeda branch continues to lash out against civilians in response to military operations against it.

Shabaab conducts triple suicide bombing in central Somalia

Caleb Weiss | October 3, 2022

Exact numbers are still unknown, but Shabaab is feared to have killed at least a dozen people in retaliatory suicide bombings as it faces severe military challenges across central Somalia.

Shabaab continues to lose ground in central Somalia

Caleb Weiss | September 27, 2022

Shabaab faces one of the largest counter-offensives against it in recent years. However, to be successful, Somalia must also work to effectively hold liberated areas and not just conduct clearing operations.

U.S. airstrike kills 27 Shabaab fighters in central Somalia

Bill Roggio and Caleb Weiss | September 21, 2022

The recent drone strike comes as the Somali National Army (SNA) mounts a large offensive against Shabaab in Somalia’s central Hiraan Region.

Analysis: Thirty hour long hotel siege emblematic of Somalia’s remaining security challenges

Caleb Weiss | August 21, 2022

Shabaab’s recent hotel siege in Mogadishu, beginning on Friday and ending early Sunday, signals the severe challenges that remain in combating the al Qaeda branch.

US picks up pace of airstrikes in Somalia

Bill Roggio and Caleb Weiss | August 17, 2022

Since resuming military activity inside Somalia earlier this year, the Biden Administration has ramped up the pace of airstrikes in the Horn of Africa country in recent weeks. Since June 3, the US has conducted at least six airstrikes against Shabaab, al Qaeda’s branch in East Africa.

Puzzles deepen in the context of Shabaab’s attempted Ethiopian invasion

Caleb Weiss & Ryan O'Farrell | July 28, 2022

New reporting has shed new light on Shabaab’s recent incursions into Ethiopia. However, many perplexing elements remain uncovered.

Shabaab says it killed scores of Burundian troops in Somalia

Caleb Weiss & Andrew Tobin | May 3, 2022

Shabaab claims it killed 173 Burundian troops in a large-scale assault on a military base in southern Somalia. Neither the African Union nor Burundi has commented on Shabaab’s casualty numbers.

Shabaab celebrates its assassinations in Mogadishu, jihadist attacks in the West

Caleb Weiss | May 3, 2022

Shabaab again highlights operations from its urban assassination unit in Mogadishu. In doing so, it places these killings in the context of the wider global jihad.

Shabaab targets Somali police chief in Mogadishu suicide bombing

Caleb Weiss & Andrew Tobin | April 24, 2022

Shabaab attempted to kill Somalia’s police chief in yet another suicide bombing in the Somali capital.

Shabaab kills dozens in twin suicide bombings targeting Somalia’s election process

Caleb Weiss & Andrew Tobin | March 24, 2022

The dual suicide bombings targeting an election site in central Somalia comes just one day after a brazen attack on a large military base in Mogadishu.

Shabaab launches simultaneous attacks across Mogadishu

Caleb Weiss | February 16, 2022

Shabaab launched near simultaneous assaults across 5 areas of Mogadishu and its suburbs, showing the group’s continued strength as Somalia preps for its upcoming presidential election.

Analysis: Somaliland’s lingering jihadi threat

Caleb Weiss | August 11, 2021

Terrorists haven’t launched major attacks in Somaliland in more than a decade. However, this does not mean it doesn’t face any real threats from Shabaab or the Islamic State.

Ep. 54 — What Shabaab Wants

Thomas Joscelyn & Bill Roggio | July 29, 2021

Hosts Tom Joscelyn and Bill Roggio discuss a new message from Shabaab’s emir. They also discuss their reluctance to report on a video, titled “America Burns,” produced by Al Qaeda’s main propaganda arm. Powered by RedCircle Take a look around the globe today and you’ll see jihadists fighting everywhere from West Africa to Southeast Asia. […]

Shabaab takes credit for suicide bombing at a Mogadishu cafe

Caleb Weiss | July 2, 2021

The bombing appears to have been part of a larger effort against Somalia’s main intelligence apparatus.

Shabaab photos detail control over town in central Somalia

Caleb Weiss | May 10, 2021

Shabaab has controlled the central Somali town of Bacaadweyne for over a month thanks to a forced political deal with the local clan.