Islamic State trains in Somalia’s Puntland
The camp is at least the second one ran by the Islamic State in Somalia’s northern Puntland region.
Tag Archives: Somalia
Shabaab’s jihad against the ‘leaders of disbelief’
Shabaab’s “Then Fight the Leaders of Disbelief” video series features clips of various al Qaeda figures from the past and present. Shabaab argues that Somali hotels are legitimate targets because they serve as “heavily fortified bases” for the government and its allies.
Shabaab tries to assassinate US diplomat
Shabaab, al Qaeda’s branch in Somalia, claims it tried to assassinate James Swan, a US diplomat and the UN Special Envoy to Somalia.
Caliphate, interrupted
The defeat of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria was neither final nor decisive, and policymakers should heed the War on Terror’s lessons to ensure the West doesn’t squander this advantage and enable ISIS, or its copycats and successor groups, to rally.
AFRICOM hits Shabaab, Islamic State in Somalia
AFRICOM has stepped up its targeting of the Islamic State, and continues to pursue its efforts to “degrade” al Qaeda’s branch in Somalia. Unfortunately, the defeat of the two terror groups is not in the cards.
Shabaab official justifies attacks on civilians while preaching the sanctity of Muslim blood
In a new audio address, Shabaab’s Abu ‘Abdurahman Mahad Warsame warns jihadists that they should avoid spilling the blood of innocent Muslims. However, he justifies the assassination of a Muslim cleric and the murder of civilians.
US hits Islamic State in Northern Somalia
The US military launched its second strike against the Islamic State’s network in northern Somalia in the past two weeks.
US kills deputy Islamic State leader in Somalia
AFRICOM announced the death of Abdulhakim Dhuqub, the second in command of the Islamic State’s network in Somalia.
US airstrike targets Shabaab in terror haven
The strike takes place as US and African Union backed Somali forces attempt to wrest territory held by Shabaab. US Africa Command recently estimated that Shabaab controls one quarter of Somalia’s territory.
Shabaab continues to target Mogadishu with car bombs
At least 15 people were killed yesterday when Shabaab, al Qaeda’s branch in East Africa, detonated a car bomb on one of Mogadishu’s busiest roads. The bombing was just the latest in a string of car bombs that have hit the Somali capital this week. Those 15 people were killed when the car bomb detonated […]
Shabaab assassinates Deputy Labor Minister in Mogadishu
Shabaab’s suicide assault killed the Deputy Minister and 14 others in Mogadishu.
US on track to nearly triple airstrike record in Somalia
If the current pace of strikes continues, the US will strike Shabaab 130 times in 2019. Is this a prelude to disengagement?
Shabaab raids hotel in Mogadishu
Shabaab has continued to demonstrate its ability to strike in heavily fortified areas of Mogadishu.
US airstrikes kill dozens of Shabaab fighters
The US military’s air campaign against Shabaab, al Qaeda’s branch in East Africa, continues to intensify. AFRICOM launched five more airstrikes against Shabaab over the weekend.
US military hits Shabaab in haven south of Somali capital
The two latest strikes took place in a town where Shabaab is dominant. The US air campaign against Shabaab continues to intensify and is on pace to quickly outstrip last year’s strike total.
US military intensifies airstrikes against al Qaeda in Somalia
Since the New Year, US Africa Command has hit Shabaab 14 times. AFRICOM acknowledges that the air campaign is not sufficient to defeat Shabaab, but can only support the Somali government’s efforts.
Shabaab assassinates more high-ranking Somali military personnel
Shabaab has now assassinated four high-ranking Somali military personnel in the same general vicinity.
US airstrike kills 24 Shabaab fighters at an ‘encampment’
The pace of strikes against Shabaab’s network in Somalia has intensified despite reports that the US military is seeking to disengage from the war-torn country.
Islamic State Somalia eulogizes foreign fighters
The video provides the first known instance of a Western foreign fighter within the Islamic State Somalia’s ranks.
US airstrike kills dozens of Shabaab fighters day after Ethiopian forces ambushed
A US airstrike reportedly targeted Shabaab militants as they went on the offensive following the deadly terrorist attack in Nairobi.
Counterterrorism strikes in Somalia continue, despite reports of a drawdown
US counterterrorism operations against al Qaeda’s branch in Somalia shows no signs of slowing down despite a report last week that said the Pentagon plans to reduce its role there. The US has launched four strikes against Shabaab during the first week of 2019.
Analysis: Islamic State expanded operations in Somalia in 2018
The Islamic State’s loyalists claimed more operations in Somalia in 2018 than in 2016 and 2017 combined. The group has also expanded its operations to include tactics normally associated with its larger rival, Shabaab.
Islamic State video purportedly shows fight with Shabaab
The Islamic State released its first video footage of a clash with Shabaab, al Qaeda’s branch in Somalia and East Africa.
US military strikes Shabaab “encampment,” killing scores of fighters
The strikes were launched to “prevent terrorists from using remote areas as a safe haven to plot, direct, inspire, and recruit for future attacks,” AFRICOM noted.
Islamic State claims clashes with Shabaab in Somalia
The Islamic State claims to have killed 14 members of Shabaab, al Qaeda’s arm in Somalia.
AFRICOM hits Shabaab near Somali capital
The last three strikes against Shabaab have taken place in an area where foreign al Qaeda fighters have historically sheltered. AFRICOM has targeted Shabaab 40 times throughout Somalia in 2018.
Shabaab claims assassination of Somali generals
Shabaab killed two Somali generals who were leading a military offensive against the group in the Lower Shabelle region, south of Mogadishu.
US strikes target al Qaeda in Libya, Somalia
The US military hit al Qaeda’s branches in Somalia and Libya twice over the past several days, killing 20 fighters in strikes that appear to have targeted the groups’ military capacity.
US military against targets Shabaab in central Somalia
The US military has launched six airstrikes in the central Somali province of Mudug since Nov. 19, killing at least 55 Shabaab fighters.
AFRICOM launches 2 more strikes against Shabaab in central Somalia
The US military is clearly targeting Shabaab in Mudug province. There have been five strikes there in the past four days and 50 Shabaab fighters are reported to have been killed in the attacks.