What is al shabab somalia

Anti-coup demonstrators have taken to the streets once more, one day after at least three people died during civil unrest. The United Nations is seeking a way out of the crisis. Several days of fighting between government troops and militia have heightened political uncertainty over the long-overdue national polls.

In addition, there is still no agreement on the electoral procedure. Meanwhile, Germany has expressed its support for the civilian government. The Sudanese military has launched a coup attempt against the country's government — even though military officials were already part of that same government. It risks losing crucial international and local support. Abdul Hamid al-Matar's death has been confirmed by the US military.

It comes two days after a US outpost in Syria was attacked. Libya has not managed to emerge from the conflict that preceded dictator Moammar al-Gadhafi's death on October 20, Parliamentary elections scheduled for December have been postponed. Crowds of protesters have taken to the streets of Khartoum to call for the military to take power. The current political tensions in Sudan could jeopardize the country's transition to democracy.

The low turnout and apparent victory of populist cleric Muqtada al-Sadr in the Iraqi parlimentary elections reflect a massive lack of trust in the country's political establishment, says DW's Kersten Knipp. Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr's party has won the most seats, according to initial results. However, a small number of members are from other countries, including Western nations.

Significant examples include:. Al-Shabaab has no known intent to conduct an attack in Australia. Al-Shabaab has not made statements specifically threatening Australians or Australian interests.

However, it is possible Australians or Australian interests could be harmed in future attacks carried out by al-Shabaab. Al-Shabaab has issued statements threatening Westerners and Western interests and has attacked locations known to be popular with Westerners, including shopping malls and cafes.

Al-Shabaab spreads propaganda to inspire followers worldwide to conduct terrorist attacks, using its websites and social media accounts. You may be trying to access this site from a secured browser on the server.

Please enable scripts and reload this page. In August , Al Shabaab withdrew from Mogadishu, claiming that the move was a tactical retreat. After its expulsion from Mogadishu, Al Shabaab lost territory, most notably access to major seaports, which it has not been able to regain as of As it lost physical territory, Al Shabaab accelerated its high-profile attacks on civilians and security personnel both within Somalia and abroad.

The group carried out suicide bombings at a restaurant in Uganda that killed seventy-four people. Al Shabaab claimed that its attacks in Kenya were meant to force Kenyan troops to withdraw from Somalia. As of June , countries participating in AMISOM were preparing to withdraw completely from Somalia by due to their own domestic security concerns and a lack of funding.

Analysts are concerned that the Somali government will be unable to counter Al Shabaab after this troop withdrawal, enabling the militant organization to capture swaths of territory as it has done in the past. Under President Donald Trump, the U. In , the U. In December alone, 62 militants were killed by U. Trump has also changed the rules of engagement for the U. Al Shabaab has claimed that its January 15, attack on a five-star hotel in Nairobi, Kenya, was in retaliation for the increase in U.

Analysts have indicated that U. In late , Al Shabaab leader Ahmad Umar was bedridden due to a prolonged illness, triggering a leadership crisis within Al Shabaab. It is unclear when his health problems began; as of June , he is believed to be near death. Fiidow has experience networking with clan elders and has served in leadership roles in both finance and regional operations.

Curran, Cody. Page, Jacqueline. Harnisch, Christopher. Masters, Jonathan, and Mohammed Aly Sergie. July Wise, Rob. Houreld, Katharine. Lahoud, Nelly. Washington, D.

Bryden, Matt. June The two also conflicted because Aweys argued for a focus on nationalist goals rather than global jihad. Aweys fled the country after Ethiopian forces invaded in , leaving Ayro to run Al Shabaab without oversight. Aweys reportedly then rejoined Al Shabaab in some capacity. He was arrested by the Somali government in June , at which time he was widely referred to as an Al Shabaab leader.

In , Aweys was transferred from prison to house arrest. Directed by Ayro, Al Shabaab conducted brutal attacks that drew condemnation from local and international communities as well as much of the ICU leadership. Ayro argued for connecting the Somali struggle to a global jihadist agenda. He began shifting Al Shabaab toward that agenda after the group became independent from the ICU, which disbanded in Ayro was killed in a U. Under his leadership, Al Shabaab strengthened its ties to Al Qaeda.

The group pledged its allegiance to Al Qaeda in , though this pledge was not formally accepted by Al Qaeda until Godane was killed in a U. There is little available information about Umar. Mukhtar Robow unknown to : Formerly a founder, spokesman, and second-in-command of Al Shabaab, Robow defected in and now pledges his loyalty to the Somali federal government. In , he announced his candidacy for a regional presidency. The U.

Hussein Ali Fiidow unknown to present : Currently a financial administrator for Al Shabaab, Fiidow has generally avoided public appearances. Analysts have identified him as the most likely successor to Umar. According to Kenyan intelligence reports, he allegedly attempted to stage a coup in early Roggio, Bill. Chothia, Farouk. International Business Times, 8 Sept. Department of State. Accessed 12 November Al Shabaab has allegedly received funds and training from Al Qaeda-linked foreign jihadists.

In August , for example, fourteen Americans were indicted for lending material support to and fundraising for Al Shabaab. Inside Somalia, Al Shabaab has stolen equipment from various organizations. It has looted private media stations, for example, to acquire media equipment and to conduct its own broadcasts.

Militants ordered office personnel to leave and confiscated their equipment. Before , Al Shabaab militants controlled Kismayo, an important port city from which the group received massive profits in charcoal exports. However, in , Al Shabaab was forced out of Kismayo and several other major cities.