Somalia claims it killed senior Shabaab leader
Somalia’s Ministry of Defense (MoD) announced yesterday that its forces, alongside “international partners,” killed Maalin Jinow Ibrahim, a reported co-founder of Shabaab and a member of its central...
Kismayo
Shabaab spokesman congratulates JNIM, denounces Western powers in Eid message
Yesterday, as part of its annual celebrations for Eid al Adha, Shabaab, Al Qaeda’s branch for East Africa, released its usual speech for the occasion. Delivered by Shabaab’s official spokesman, Ali...
Op-eds
Somalia reports death of Shabaab co-founder in ‘precision airstrike’
The Somali government stated on Monday that another co-founder of Shabaab is dead. The individual, identified as Mahmoud Abdi Hamud, better known as Jaafar Gurey, was reportedly killed in a “precision...
Op-eds
Shabaab mounts large-scale offensive, Somali Armed Forces claim victory
In a coordinated, multi-pronged offensive, Shabaab, al Qaeda’s branch for East Africa, assaulted multiple Somali National Army (SNA) bases across southern Somalia’s Lower Juba region yesterday. Each...
Op-eds
Shabaab retakes territory as the U.S. sanctions one of its money laundering networks
Shabaab, al-Qaeda’s branch in East Africa, is steadily undoing progress made by Somali security services in its nearly two year old counter-offensive against the group. Over the last few days, the group...
Op-eds
US launches first drone strike of the year in Somalia
The United States launched its first drone strike in Somalia this year on Sunday, reportedly killing three Shabaab members. Neither Africa Command (AFRICOM), the U.S. military command responsible for such...
Op-eds
U.S. offers $5 million reward for Shabaab’s deputy emir
The U.S. State Department’s Rewards for Justice Program is offering a $5 million reward for information leading to the arrest of Abukar Ali Adan, the deputy leader of Shabaab, Al Qaeda’s branch in...
Op-eds
AFRICOM launches ‘self-defense’ airstrikes against Shabaab in Somalia
U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) killed five members of Shabaab, Al Qaeda’s branch in East Africa, in a “self-defense airstrike” in central Somalia on July 19. AFRICOM has launched four self-defense...
Op-eds
Another long hotel siege ends in Mogadishu
Somali forces have finally ended yet another long hotel siege in Somalia’s capital of Mogadishu, almost twenty four hours after it began. The siege, which was upon the Villa Rays Hotel just meters from...
Op-eds
Shabaab kills over 100 people in suicide bombings in Mogadishu
Over the weekend, two suicide car bombings perpetrated by Shabaab, al Qaeda’s branch in East Africa, killed at least 100 people at a busy intersection in Somalia’s capital of Mogadishu. Hundreds more...
Op-eds
Shabaab assaults hotel in southern city of Kismayo
Yesterday, Shabaab, al Qaeda’s branch in East Africa, conducted a large-scale siege on the Tawakal Hotel in Somalia’s southern city of Kismayo. At least nine civilians were murdered by the jihadist...
Op-eds
Analysis: Thirty hour long hotel siege emblematic of Somalia’s remaining security challenges
On Friday, Shabaab, al Qaeda’s branch in East Africa, launched a coordinated suicide assault on the Hayat Hotel in Somalia’s capital of Mogadishu. Almost 30 hours later it was ended by Somali security...
Op-eds
US picks up pace of airstrikes in Somalia
Since resuming military activity inside Somalia earlier this year, the Biden Administration has ramped up the pace of airstrikes in the Horn of Africa country in recent weeks. Since June 3, the US has conducted...
Op-eds
US strikes Shabaab on southern Somalia coast
Yesterday, US Forces killed nine Shabaab terrorists in a strike 40 km northeast of Kismayo after the al Qaeda branch attacked Somali forces operating in the area. The strike took place near the town of Jamaame, a former Shabaab safe haven that was liberated by Somali forces just one day eariler.
Op-eds
Limited Options
The Cipher Brief: What is your assessment of al Shabaab’s current capabilities? Daveed Gartenstein-Ross: Al Shabaab’s current cap...
Op-eds
Terrorist Financing and the Implications for Canada
Download full testimony here Mr. Chairman, member...
Legislative Testimonies
From Westgate to Garissa, Shabab’s Murderous Wave
Co-written by Nathaniel Barr After the Somali militant group al-Shabab carried out a gruesome ...
Op-eds
US Targets ‘Senior Leader’ for Shabaab in Southern Somalia
The US military confirmed that its aircraft launched an airstrike against a "senior leader" of al Qaeda's branch in Somalia. "The strike took place in the vicinity of Saakow, Somali...
Op-eds
The Islamic State’s Vulnerability
As the U.S. military joins with its allies and temporarily-aligned enemies to fulfill President Obama’s promise to “...
Op-eds
The Arab Spring and Al-Qaeda’s Resurgence
Chairman McKeon, Ranking Member Smith, distinguished members of the committee, it is an honor to appear before you to discuss the state of al-Qaeda, its affiliates, and associated groups. My test...