Omar Hammami released the first part of his autobiography, which detailed his path to jihad and fighting in Somalia. An Ethiopian general said his country’s forces would take control of Kismayo. A military tribunal in Hargeisa sentenced 17 people to death for killing three policemen.
The American jihadist commander in Somalia said US airstrikes do not impact Shabaab’s fight against the Somali government and have not caused rifts between “the global element of this Jihaad from the local element.”
The American commander in Shabaab says he is “still alive and well (by May 16 2012)” and details his life, including his radicalization and fighting in Somalia up until he joined Shabaab.
Shabaab and government forces clashed in Garbaharey; two civilians were killed and Shabaab poisoned wells in the town. Three soldiers were killed after Somali troops fought amongst themselves.
Kenyan troops killed two businessmen in Taabta after their base cam under attack. “Gunmen” killed two people in Mogadishu and Baidoa.
EU Naval Force helicopters attacked a pirate base on land. Shabaab fighters reportedly abandoned bases in the Galgadud region. Ethiopian troops killed two civilians after getting hit in an IED attack.
Somali piracy: EU forces in first mainland raid
Security forces captured Ali Bakaari, a Tanzanian national who is a senior Shabaab leader in Kismayo. The National Security Service detained a Shabaab fighter as he planted a bomb near Mogadishu.
Ex-Member of Somali Terrorist Group Helps a US Prosecution
US trains African soldiers for Somalia mission
Three civilians were killed in grenade attacks in Mogadishu. The government signed a memorandum of agreement with the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.
The governor of Bakool said that the 17 Shabaab fighters killed yesterday were blocking supplies to Hudur and looting trucks. “Gunmen” killed two security officials in Puntland.
A Somali member of parliament claimed that 17 Shabaab fighters were killed during fighting in Hudur. Shabaab claimed its forces killed 10 Somali and Ethiopian troops in Bay and Bakool provinces.
Does a military solution for Somali piracy work?
Three Shabaab fighters died in two separate premature detonations while planting IEDs in Mogadishu. Shabaab arrested more than 100 tribal elders for attempting to travel to the capital to participate in the drafting of a constitution. The leader of Somali Religious Council called the draft constitution un-Islamic.
Nine people were killed using heavy fighting in Mogadishu. Security forces prevented a suicide attack and captured two suspected bombers at a checkpoint in Mogadishu. “Gunmen” killed a Somali soldier and an immigration official in the capital.
Ahlu Sunna Wal Jama’a and Shabaab forces clashed in El Bur. Shabaab attacked government troops in Beledweyne. Shabaab dismissed its commander in Afmadow and arrested 15 civilians for criminal activity.
Kenyan troops opened fire on Shabaab military camps in Qoqaani. Shabaab is recruiting students from schools in Kismayo. “Gunmen” killed a Somali journalist in Galkayo.
The letter from al Qaeda’s emir to Shabaab leader Sheikh Muhktar Abu Zubayr confirms an August 2010 report from LWJ that detailed al Qaeda’s instructions to downplay links between the two terror groups.
Obama’s Afghanistan speech: a small view of the war sparked by 9/11
Shabaab arrested four businessmen and clan elders in Afgoye for links to the Somali government. AMISOM appointed a Ugandan general to lead forces in Somalia.
Coming face to face with Somalia’s al-Shabab
A suicide bomber killed three members of parliament and another Somali in an attack in Dusamareb. Eleven people were killed after Shabaab attacked Somali and Ethiopian troops in Hudur.
The al Qaeda affiliate has executed 10 suicide attacks in Somalia already this year.
AMISOM claimed it has defeated Shabaab in Mogadishu, and the al Qaeda-linked group has been expelled from the capital. Shabaab took control of Radio Markabley in Bardere.
Eight people were killed in attacks in and around Mogadishu. Shabaab and government and AMISOM troops clashed in two districts, while Shabaab bombed a theater. Fifteen suspected Shabaab fighters were detained in Hudur.
Christians under attack in Kenya, Nigeria
Think Again: Al Qaeda
Al-Qaeda is weaker without bin Laden, but its franchise persists
AMISOM said it plans to expand operations outside of Mogadishu and urged Somalis to unite against Shabaab. Shabaab spokesman Sheikh Ali Rage threatened Somali elders who participate in creating a constitution.