Somalia's al-Shabab copies al-Qaeda's tactics

2011-10-11 Analysis by Rajeh Said in London

The suicide bombing on Oct. 4 in Mogadishu killed more than 100 people, most of them students. [Omar Faruk/Reuters]

Bashar Abdullahi Nur, the Somali suicide truck bomber who recently targeted students in Mogadishu, knew exactly what group he wanted to attack.

The bombing took place near a compound housing government buildings including the Ministry of Education, but the bomber was not out to kill government officials opposed to his al-Qaeda-allied group, the Mujahideen al-Shabab Movement.

He sought primarily to kill students who wished to leave their country, which has been devastated by decades of civil war, to study in Turkey on scholarships granted by the Turkish government.

Killing students to 'please God'

Nur's issue with those students, as he claimed in a recording attributed to him and reported in the media, is that instead of engaging in jihad to defend Somali Muslims, they were leaving their country to study in foreign lands where they would be influenced by those who he referred to as infidels and by secular ideas.

"[The student] wakes up in the morning, goes to college and studies and accepts what the infidels tell him, while they massacre Muslims," he said, adding that the purpose of his operation is to "please God".

It is not clear how Nur, a young school dropout, arrived at the conviction that God would be pleased with murdering teenage students seeking education and looking for a better future not available to them in their own country, which has been embroiled in chaos since the early 1990s.

What is perhaps stranger than Nur's justification for his operation is that the al-Shabab movement he belongs to claimed responsibility for the operation and justified it as being an act of "jihad", even though it left nearly a hundred people dead, most of them students gathered outside an office on whose walls hung lists of the "fortunate" winners of Turkish scholarships. A spokesman for the movement threatened that attacks would "increase by the day" with the aim of overthrowing Somalia's transitional administration headed by President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed.

The attack by Nur was not the first of its kind against students in Mogadishu. A suicide bomber carried out a similar suicide attack that targeted a graduation party for medical students in the Somali capital in 2009, killing 24 people, most of them doctors or medical students in addition to three ministers. The Somali government blamed the attack on al-Shabab, which denied responsibility after the massacre. The attack sparked overwhelming anger among the people of Mogadishu who went out in demonstrations condemning the movement.

But unlike 2009, when it denied responsibility, the al-Shabab movement was unequivocal this time in claiming responsibility for the attack. This indicates that it has legitimised the killing of students seeking scholarships in the name of religion, despite the fact they are civilians with no involvement in the fighting between al-Shabab and the Somali transitional government for control of the capital Mogadishu.

Al-Shabab adopts al-Qaeda's killing tactics

By taking this stance, the al-Shabab movement appears to have not learned from experiences of other groups who had adopted similar methodologies. Those experiences confirmed that extremist behaviour most often backfires and produces opposite results. Perhaps the actions of al-Qaeda and its various affiliates are the clearest evidence of the futility of this type of action.

Al-Qaeda had "succeeded" in past years in carrying out a series of attacks that caused hundreds of civilian deaths. Among the most infamous of al-Qaeda's operations that it views as "successful" were the attacks of September 11th, 2001, which involved hijacking airliners and crashing them into the twin towers in New York and the Pentagon near Washington. Other attacks targeted commuter trains in Madrid in March 2004, and the London attacks in July 2005, which targeted subway trains and passenger buses.

All those operations appeared to be bona-fide "successes" for al-Qaeda since they resulted in the killing of hundreds of people, which was what the organisation sought to accomplish.

But with the passage of time, it became evident that al-Qaeda's operations produce results that are opposite to what it seeks. This is reflected in the lack of any popular support for al-Qaeda's actions in the Arab and Muslim street, and the declaration by a large segment of jihadi scholars and salafists in various Islamic countries, on whom al-Qaeda has long counted for support, that they condemn its actions, specifically the indiscriminate killings of civilians, even the non-Muslims among them.

The al-Shabab movement apparently did not learn from al-Qaeda's experiences, specifically that of its branch in Iraq led by Abu Musab al-Zarqawi. In past years, this group carried out a series of brutal operations that terrorised many Iraqis. But it soon discovered that its actions, which included indiscriminate bombings of public squares and markets and the slaughter of people based on their sectarian affiliation, helped turn Iraqis against it, even compelling a large segment of the "resistance" against foreign intervention in their country to form alliances with the foreign troops and the new Iraqi government in order to get rid of al-Qaeda.

Before those lessons were drawn from al-Qaeda's actions, Algeria in the 1990s was the scene of a similar experience that confirmed the futility of resorting to "indiscriminate violence" to win popular support. A self-described "jihadi" armed group operating under the name of "the Armed Islamic Group" employed revolting practices and operations that killed and bombed Algerian civilians. Those practices that were attributed to the group led to the alienation of large segments of Algerian society who aligned themselves with the government in its efforts to combat the armed group.

Yet, the claim of responsibility for the recent attacks in Mogadishu by the Somali al-Shabab movement suggests that it has not learned any lesson from those experiences.

The Somali movement may indeed "succeed" in acting on its threat of carrying out additional attacks in the coming days, but what is uncertain is the extent to which it will "succeed" in winning the Somali people to its side, especially if the attacks are modelled on the massacre of the students seeking scholarships to study in Turkey.

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READER COMMENTS

حليمة

2013-2-18

I ask God to take revenge upon the Al-Shabaab, because they are criminals and devils.
ساره

2013-2-15

Honestly, many people died here in Egypt and the other Muslim and non-Muslim states and they were killed not knowing what wars meant. They have never imagined that they would wake up in coffins and graves without even knowing why they were killed. Why they were destined to die like the rats and turn to pieces scattered on the ground? Why his souls were killed without even knowing the cause? This suffering is caused by people who do not know God, whether they were Muslims or non-Muslims because all religions call for one thing. God has never commanded people to kill or steal, but He commanded us to spread peace and charity. Why do they kill the people without any guilt? Why they insist on shedding the blood and destroying many people’s lives? The victims are innocent ordinary people and thus they are priceless, but they are sold for empty interests and they are sponsored by heatless people. If the cat kills its babies, then this is out of love for them rather than because it wants them to die. However, the people who are supposed to have hearts and minds kill there fellow human children and brothers mercilessly. This will certainly happen to them because retribution will always be exacted eventually. Hence, do we expect that they would be brought to justice by some authority or we will leave them to kill the people until the end of the world? Will they be executed by hanging or imprisoned or exiled? Will they be punished as they caused pain to the other people?
قيس خالد

2012-5-4

The terrorist attacks worldwide are not justified, because they cause the deaths of many innocent, helpless victims without any guilt. I do not know what is the guilt of the innocents to be killed and slaughtered in order to achieve personal interests. They get money in return for destroying the world and killing the innocents. These movements have no living consciences and their hearts are dead. They kill the innocents in cold blood without even shedding tears over them. Those people have committed many destructive acts and they became hated all over the world. There is a revenge battle between them and many people who lost their loved ones at their hands. These movements proved that they do not deserve life but they deserve to be killed thousands of times over because of their crimes. Their hands became stained with the blood of many innocent people. They are chased by all the security services worldwide. These terrorist movements affected the whole world negatively in many fields and they are the main cause of the disaster that afflicted the world economy. They saved none of the people, whether men, women, youth or even children.
E.D

2011-11-26

The behavior of “The Movement of Jihadi Youth” and their struggling to promote ideas that are contrary to the principles of Islam are very similar to the thoughts and principles of al-Qaeda and the way they deal with others. The inevitable truth is that the commission of such acts of terrorism against innocent people is the goal of the enemies of Islam. The latter are murdering people under the umbrella of Islam, while they are actually far from being true Muslims. Islam teaches us that shedding the blood of an innocent person is even more sinful than demolishing the Kaaba. These people are in fact seeking to tarnish the image of the Islamic religion, especially among the non-Muslims. This misguided group has committed the worst criminal attack in human history, because they resorted to violence, which is the worst and most despicable way to achieve political goals. This attack against innocent Somali people is simply brutal and has nothing to do with human values. As Muslims, we are supposed to stand by the Somali people at this harsh time. In this respect, we call upon the concerned authorities to arrest the perpetrators and bring them to justice in order to get their just punishment for what they have done. Indeed, they killed innocent citizens, while this movement was supposed to provide aid and assistance to their people, who are suffering from hunger and death due to the significant shortage of food and medicine, since they have the financial means. However, they are not true Muslims.
سليم حوراني

2011-11-12

I believe that Somalia will be one of the world’s largest hotbeds of terrorism, particularly after clamping down on the terrorist organizations in many other countries. In fact, this organization will resort to improving its presence in Somalia by taking advantage of the conditions of the people there. For instance, they will work on recruiting a lot of the sons of Somalia by attracting them with money and positions. Thus, I do not think that terrorism will be eradicated easily in Somalia, as some people think. In fact, terrorism will not come to an end, especially with the existence of internal problems, the continuation of famine and poverty and the spread of diseases. Therefore, Somalia needs international support. They must support this country and its people. They also have to save people in order to thwart the terrorist plan. In so doing, they will eradicate terrorism in this country, which is suffering from this epidemic. In fact, famine and poverty have been the major reasons that caused terrorism to exploit Somalia, gather together in it, and try to spread their extremist, criminal ideology. The latter have increased the suffering of the Somalis. These people have suffered a lot from famine and neglect because of terrorism, which has contributed to hampering the humanitarian aid to this country.
غالب ناصر

2011-11-12

Somalia is the world’s poorest and most problematic country. In fact, the Somalis are currently experiencing a bitter and indescribable situation. Their humanitarian situation has deteriorated, and poverty, famine and unemployment are widespread all over the country. Therefore, terrorism has found in this country a refuge where it is able to reorganize its movement, gather its members and get a foothold. In fact, it has taken advantage of the conditions of the Somalis, who only think about how to spend their day. Terrorism has also taken advantage of the absence of power, influence and control over the country. In fact, the government is unable to solve the most basic issues. I wonder how it can fight terrorism. As far as I am concerned, terrorism is having its best days in Somalia, given that it is exploiting these tragic conditions and the weakness of the Somali government. It is also exploiting the weakness of the international organizations in their attempts to combat these terrorist organizations and criminal gangs, mainly the Militant Youth Movement in Somalia. The latter has made close ties with the terrorist al-Qaeda and is carrying out murder and terrorist acts easily, given that it is taking control of many regions in Somalia, particularly as the situation remains dangerous in the country.
سليمان البياع

2011-11-4

In my opinion, Somalia and its people have suffered from many problems. Today, it is one of the most devastated countries because of the economic conditions this country has been suffering from for years, because of the conditions surrounding it, because of the radical, terrorist groups that extend their control in Somalia in a way that shakes security and stability in the country. The first of these groups is the Somali Al Shabab movement, which is considered one of the radical terrorist groups that caused the most suffering to the Somali people. These criminal groups commit acts of murder, violation of sanctities and continuous bombings that target civilians. As such, I believe, without a doubt, that this so-called Somali Al Shabab terrorist movement is a terrorist organization following the same path of the Al Qaeda terrorist organization, because they have the same radical fundamentalist ideology and the same style in terrorist operations and targeting civilians. For my part, I think that the Somali Al Shabab movement is a mini-part of the terrorist Al Qaeda organization, because there are many similarities in the ideas and the methodology of both entities. They both believe in radicalism and fundamentalism, and they both target civilians and attempt to target security and stability. Also, both terrorist organizations, Al Qaeda and the Somali Al Shabab movement, are trying to impose their will and their agenda on the societies where they operate. They have the same dark ideas and the same tendencies. The terrorist Somali Al Shabab movement has always committed many acts of criminality and murder, and has liquidated all those who stood in its way or opposed its ideas. It has also contributed to claiming the lives of innocent civilians through its booby-trapped cars, improvised explosive devices and many other acts, through which they try to kill as many civilians as possible. The last of this terrorist movement’s operations has been the targeting of Somali students who wanted to continue their studies outside of Somalia. This operation left behind almost a hundred martyrs and injured people. This style is the same style as that of the terrorist Al Qaeda organization in targeting civilians. Therefore, I think the terrorist Somali Al Shabab movement has started to take the same path of the terrorist Al Qaeda.
طرابلسي

2011-10-28

Greetings and thanks for the website. It is very crucial to get rid of those cowardly terrorists, the misguided factions and the armed gangs that pose a threat to the security and stability of the country. As such, we are very hopeful that there would be youth working to combat corruption, crimes and violence all over the world, God willing. This will contribute to restoring the prestige of Islam and Muslims among all the countries of the world, to correct the image and concept of the real Islam that aims at achieving justice, mercy, humanity, tolerance and love among people, and that seeks to establish correct and strong foundations for goodness and peace to reign over all people.
فارس تحسين

2011-10-28

Somali al-Shabab should commit to acts that show peace and goodness, instead of committing crimes. They wanted to start movements like other youth movements all over the world to demand freedom and democracy and to call for providing services. Fighting for rights should be done according to laws and rules and a methodology that delivers them to the shore of safety. They should not be killed after committing crimes and confrontations that may occur between them and the army or maybe the security forces, or between the people and the Al Qaeda organization’s groups. Therefore, complete caution must be taken to stay away from the threats that may harm everyone and cause great damage and imminent threats without differentiation between one person and the other.
سعد

2011-10-28

I’m certain that the Somali al-Shabab movement is following Al Qaeda’s path. Its end will come soon, God willing.
ياسين خالد

2011-10-28

The acts of the Somali Al Shabab prove that they use the same ways and methodology as the Al Qaeda organization’s groups, under different names and for somewhat different reasons. However, it is the same thing, because these acts still aim at committing acts of violence, criminality, murder, attacking people, bearing arms and executing operations of bombings, suicide, murder and assassinations. What is the difference, then, between them and the Al Qaeda organization’s groups? In this case, they follow the same path as the terrorist Al Qaeda organization, as they commit acts of violence and crimes. As such, the Somali Al Shabab should keep away from committing the terrorist attacks that show that they have the spirit of violence and criminality. They should call for the rights they have been deprived of in more peaceful ways that show that their work is ethical and humane and that their hands are clean of the blood that now taints it. As such, it is very crucial for Somali people to make the correct decisions and come up with the correct solutions that show peacefulness, and to keep away from all acts of criminality and violence that have their foundation in the work of the terrorist Al Qaeda organization. This organization distorted everyone’s image with the bombings, murders, kidnapping, slaughter, booby-trapping and suicide attacks that they commit, along with other many terrorist operations that caused great harm to all the countries of the Arab world.
منجد علي

2011-10-28

In the name of God, the Beneficent, the Merciful. According to my personal opinion, the Somali Harakat al-Shabaab al-Mujahideen is part and parcel of the Al-Qaeda organization, but it is more severe than Al-Qaeda, which we have known throughout the world. This group, which calls itself the youth movement, does not have an interest in anything but killing the Somali people, and I do not know why. Is it because they are rich and it extorts them, or what? I swear by God, I do not know. I know that Somalia is an extremely poor country. If this movement would like to penetrate the hearts of the people and live in their minds without killing or terrorism, it should work on providing assistance to the Somali people, not extort them and hold the weapon to impose the law of the jungle in this poor country, in which people are suffering from famine and the lack of security. All the actions of the movement show, undoubtedly, that it is a part of Al-Qaeda, or at least one can say that it is a movement that has derived its thought and work and benefited from Al-Qaeda’s experience and its criminality. It is imitating this dirty organization in crime and abuse of people, and extorting them in the name of religion, defending it and holding the banner of Islam high, and these are slogans which we always find connected with the Al-Qaeda organization. They are used to deceive the people and take over the minds of the stupid among them.
سليم جامع

2011-10-25

The terrorist movement called Harakat al-Shabaab al-Mujahideen, or HSM, is committing a series of crimes against civilians and innocents. The movement steals their money, executes bombings, bans, allows and makes things permissible or forbidden as they wish in many areas in Somalia. This is why they are no different from the al-Qaeda terrorist organization, which provides this movement with money, support and weapons to apply its extreme thoughts to control Somalia and the Somali youth by involving them in the terrorist and suicidal activities. This extreme movement conducted a lot of suicidal attacks against many in the urban areas. May innocent victims died. Instead of supporting the deteriorated, wrecked Somalia and helping the poor Somalis, who are torn by the famine, they do quite the opposite. They kill more Somali people every day, because they follow the footsteps of al-Qaeda and their method in all the criminal activities they do.
عمران

2011-10-25

Damn this terrorist movement and everybody that works using the same method and process as the al-Qaeda organization. This movement is responsible for all the bombings in Somalia and all the innocent and civilian victims who died because of these bombings, conducted by the agents of the movement or any sort of armed attacks they carry out.
ammar

2011-10-15

The Mujaheddin Youth Movement is killing innocent people. They want Jihad and they are not in favor of a civil society for Somalis. They want Somalia to be an Emirate so that they can live in comfort, while avergae people live in starvation.