More bad news for al-Shabaab: more resistance it can’t starve into submission. “Ethiopian troops move into Somalia: witnesses,” by Abdi Sheikh for the Associated Press, November 19: MOGADISHU (Reuters) – Scores of Ethiopian military vehicles pushed at least 80 km (50 miles) into neighbouring Somalia on Saturday, residents said, five weeks after Kenya entered Somalia […]
Al-Shabaab warns Kenya of “endless war”
That’s pretty much the plan anyway, isn’t it? Until worship is for Allah alone (Qur’an 2:193, 8:39)? An update on this story. “Somali rebels say will subject Kenya to ‘endless war’,” from Agence France-Presse, November 4: Somalia’s Shebab rebels said Thursday they were building defences that would plunge Kenyan forces battling them into an “endless […]
Kenya: Al-Shabaab receiving airdrops of weapons
Suspicion has fallen on Eritrea. It would not be the first time Eritrea has been accused of supporting the Somali jihadists, even provoking U.N. sanctions. “Kenya claims Somali rebels receive third weapons airdrop,” from Agence France-Presse, November 2: Kenya said Wednesday that Somali Islamist rebels had received a third planeload of armaments, as its forces […]
Al-Shabaab bars Somalis from fleeing Kenyan strikes, orders them “to stay and die at the hands of Christian Kenya, to dwell in paradise”
Perhaps seeking human shields, and the propaganda potential of elevated civilian casualties, the cowards of al-Shabaab have made themselves the arbiters of other people’s “martyrdom.” “Somalis brace for Kenyan air assault,” by Abdi Sheikh and Sahra Abdi for the Associated Press, November 2: MOGADISHU (Reuters) – Somalia braced for Kenyan air attacks on Wednesday and […]
Somalia: Al-Shabaab suicide bomber tentatively identified as Minneapolis native
He “reportedly grew up in Minneapolis and was known by the FBI as one of 20 Somali Americans to have joined an al-Qaida-linked militant group.” An update on this story. “Suicide bomber in Somali attack was reportedly from Minneapolis,” from MSNBC, October 31: MOGADISHU, Somalia “” A man who blew himself up in an attack […]
Report: Al-Shabaab jihadists contact Kenyan government about negotiations
Covering their bases: in the midst of their saber-rattling about spectacular attacks inside Kenya, they are also trying to make arrangements for a hudna. “Official: Al-Shabaab leaders contact Kenyan government to negotiate,” by David McKenzie for CNN, October 27: Nairobi, Kenya (CNN) — Conflicting accounts emerged Thursday over whether the extremist group Al-Shabaab has signaled […]
Al-Shabaab gives Kenya grenade attackers an “E” for “Effort,” but says “we want huge blasts”
“Stop throwing grenades at buses,” they said. “We need a huge blow against Kenya.” Everyone’s a critic. More on this story. “Somalia’s al Shabaab vows huge blast in Kenya,” by Ismail Taxta and Abdi Sheikh for Reuters, October 27: MOGADISHU (Reuters) – Somalia’s al Shabaab rebels called Thursday for supporters in Kenya to carry out […]
Al-Qaeda reportedly sends emissary with famine aid to Somali jihadists
Officially, al-Shabaab calls the famine declaration a conspiracy. It may have occurred to al-Qaeda that the Somali jihadists’ willingness to starve the country into submission might be bad for business, or there may have been private appeals from al-Shabaab. In any event, what is of additional interest to U.S. officials in this case is the […]
Kenya: Self-described member of al-Shabaab claims Nairobi grenade attacks
The good news is that Kenya apprehended this bomber. The bad news is that this pair of somewhat amateurish, opportunistic free-lance jihadist attacks is almost certain not to be al-Shabaab’s main event in Kenya. Al-Shabaab has actually denied any connection to these attacks, which fall outside of its recent tendencies toward suicide attacks, and the […]
Kenyan army advances toward jihadist-held Somali port city amid reports of broader international involvement
The Kenyan military is reported to be advancing toward Kismayo, accompanied by aerial bombardment of the city. With or without international assistance to the Kenyan military, al-Shabaab seems at last to have bitten off more than it can chew with its recent cross-border kidnappings. “Kenya Says Western Nations Join Fight in Somalia, as U.S. Denies […]