Tag Archives: Somalia

Hizbul Islam surrendered to Shabaab and merged with the terror group after losing its last strongholds south of Mogadishu. It is unclear if Sheikh Hassan Dahir Aweys will take a leadership position in Shabaab.

A Shabaab commander criticized overall leader Sheikh Muktar Abdirahman Abu Zubeyr for fighting against the rival Hizbul Islam, and said “the fighting in Burhakaba was not jihad.” Shabaab seized control of Burhakaba from Hizbul Islam after weeks of heavy fighting.

Twenty people were killed and 35 more were wounded in fighting between Shabaab and Somali forces in Mogadishu. African Union forces denied shelling the Bakara market in Mogadishu.

Ten people were killed in fighting between Shabaab and Somali and African Union forces in Mogadishu. President Sharif called for Shabaab and Hizbul Islam to join the government. Shabaab chopped off a boy’s hand after accusing him of theft.

Hizbul Islam leader Hassan Dahir Aweys vowed to defend Afgoi, its last remaining bastion, from Shabaab. A member of parliament seized control of the port in Mogadishu. The government suspended UNICEF and Red Cross operations.

Shabaab seized large areas of the Lower Shabelle region from Hizbul Islam. Hizbul Islam arrested several of its leaders in Afgoi suspected of being associated with Shabaab. Hizbul Islam is now confined to a small region south of Mogadishu.

Shabaab fighters in Burhakaba threatened to behead 20 Islamist commanders and fighters from the rival Hizbul Islam. Shabaab claimed Kenyan police are holding a leader from Kismayo, who have demanded $1,000 to free him.

Fifteen people were killed during fighting in Mogadishu. The Ahlu Sunnah Wal Jama’a militia claimed it captured then pardoned five Shabaab fighters; Shabaab disputed the report. Pirates hijacked a ship and captured 24 crew members.

Shabaab and Hizbul Islam clashed in Burhakaba; Hizbul Islam claimed it took control of the city. Three people were killed in mortar exchanges between Shabaab and African Union forces in Mogadishu.

Families in Kismayo said Shabaab is pressing young men to fight in Mogadishu, and the families are not allowed to contact their sons. Djibouti has reopened its embassy in Mogadishu.

Puntland security forces killed two Shabaab “assassins” who shot and wounded a government official in Bosaso. Shabaab trained 300 fighters in Baidoa, the former seat of government of the Transitional Federal Government.

Twenty people were killed during clashes between clans in central Somalia. Two people were killed during fighting in Mogadishu. The military executed a Somali soldier for killing another soldier.

A Yemeni al Qaeda commander was among 13 foreign fighters reported to have been killed during clashes over the weekend. The new prime minister claimed 50 Shabaab fighters were killed. The Netherlands will prosecute five Somali pirates.

Twenty-two people were killed in mortar exchanges and fighting between Shabaab and African Union forces in Mogadishu. A 1,050-man anti-piracy militia is being trained in Puntland.

Shabaab defeated a Hizbul Islam attack on the town of Burhakaba after two days of fighting. Both Shabaab and the African Union claimed victory after a week of fighting in Mogadishu.

Twenty people were killed during fighting between Shabaab fighters and Somali and African Union troops in Mogadishu. Six Islamist commanders were among 15 people killed during clashes between Shabaab and Hizbul Islam forces in Burhakaba. Shabaab accused Somaliland of opening Christian schools.

Shabaab’s governor in Kismayo ordered the city’s men to wage jihad against Somali and African Union forces in Mogadishu. The UN Security Council approves the expansion of the number of African Union troops in Somalia from 8,000 to 12,000.

Fifteen more people were killed during clashes between Shabaab fighters and Somali and African Union forces in Mogadishu. Puntland blamed Shabaab for the assassination of a court official in Bosaso. A US court sentenced a Somali pirate to 30 years in prison.

Twenty-five people, mostly civilians, were reported killed in clashes and mortar exchanges between Shabaab and African Union and Somali troops in Mogadishu over the weekend. The president of Uganda made a surprise visit to Mogadishu.

Ten people were killed during fighting between Shabaab and Somali and African Union troops in the Bakara Market in Mogadishu. Shabaab recruited and trained 150 women in Kismayo to serve as soldiers.