Shabaab’s intelligence service, the Amniyatt Mukhabarat, appears to have finally tracked down and killed Hammami, who has been at odds with the group’s emir for more than a year. Hammami recently renounced his ties to al Qaeda and Shabaab.
The al Qaeda affiliate said it was sending newly trained fighters to serve in the “Ali bin Abu Talib” battalion in central Somalia.
As the United States and its partners appear to be finalizing potential strikes in response to the Syrian regime’s alleged use of chemical weapons, jihadist groups continue to fret that fellow jihadists will be targeted.
In a series of tweets posted to its official Twitter account today, Shabaab denounced the Egyptian army as “Jewish both in dialogue and deed.” In addition, the group called on Egyptian Muslims to “pick up arms and defend yourself.”
Killing Lions, Buying Bombs
Jihadists turn to Twitter
Exclusive – Kenyan peacekeepers aided illegal Somalia charcoal export
The al Qaeda affiliate chastises the Muslim Brotherhood for participating in the democratic process and urges the group’s members to wage jihad.
Arms ship seized by Yemen may have been Somalia-bound: UN
Ibrahim al Afghani, a jihadist leader closely linked to al Qaeda, and Abul Hamid Hashi Olhayi, were killed during Shabaab infighting in Barawe. Hassan Dahir Aweys is reportedly in custody in Mogadishu.
Eight fighters from al Qaeda’s affiliate in Somalia penetrated security at a United Nations Development Program compound, killing several UN employees.
The $7 million reward for Abubakar Shekau, Boko Haram’s emir, puts him in the top echelon of wanted terrorist leaders. Rewards of $5 million are also offered for Mokhtar Belmokhtar and Yahya Abu Hammam.
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Radical Islamists in Britain Prove a Challenge to Security
Global impact to Sahel terror
Somalia’s struggle for unity far from over
Kenya: Countering the Radicalization of Kenya’s Youth
Somali jihadi tweets picture of ‘assassination attempt’
Al-Qaida Leader Urges Muslims to Unite in Struggle
The FBI told The Long War Journal that Jehad Mostafa is thought to be Abu Abdullah al Muhajir, the American who distributed aid at a Somali camp in 2011 on behalf of al Qaeda’s emir. The US also offered a $5 million reward for Omar Hammami.
Abu Ahmed al Amriki implores Muslims to leave their lives of comfort and wage jihad in Somalia, Mali, Afghanistan, Iraq, or the “Islamic Maghreb” — North Africa.
Sahel states must share intel, African expert warns
Militant Threats Test Role of a Pentagon Command in Africa
France plays down report of ransom paid for Niger hostages
Bildt: Sweden in dark over US terror extradition
Terror Threat Prompts US Rethink on Africa
“With the rescue attempt, France has voluntarily signed Allex’s death warrant,” the terror group said in an official statement. Shabaab later announced he was executed. The French intelligence agent has been held by Shabaab since July 2009.
Shabaab displayed the body and equipment of a French commando who was wounded and captured late last week following a failed hostage rescue in Somalia, and later died. The terror group also said the “fate” of hostage Denis Allex will be announced soon.
A Dane tells of his life as a spy inside the al-Qaida network