Q&A: Who are Somalia's al-Shabab?
Somalia's al-Shabab, which has carried out the deadly attack on a shopping centre in neighbouring Kenya, is linked with al-Qaeda. It has been pushed out of all of the main towns it once controlled in southern and central parts of Somalia, but still remains a potent threat.
Who are al-Shabab?
Al-Shabab means The Youth in Arabic. It emerged as the radical youth wing of Somalia's now-defunct Union of Islamic Courts in 2006, as it fought Ethiopian forces who had entered Somalia to back the weak interim government.
There are numerous reports of foreign jihadists going to Somalia to help al-Shabab
It has imposed a strict version of Sharia law in areas under its control, including stoning to death women accused of adultery and amputating the hands of thieves.
How much of Somalia does al-Shabab control?
Al-Shabab At A Glance
*."The Youth" in Arabic
*.Formed as a radical offshoot of the Union of Islamic Courts, which controlled Mogadishu, in 2006
*.Previously ran much of southern Somalia
*.Lost some popular support by banning Western aid agencies during 2011 famine
*.Estimated to have 7,000 to 9,000 fighters
Although it has lost control of the towns and cities, its writ still runs in many rural areas.
It was forced out of the capital, Mogadishu, in August 2011 and left the vital port of Kismayo in September 2012.
Kismayo had been a key asset for the militants, allowing supplies to reach areas under their control and providing taxes for their operations.
The African Union (AU), which is supporting government forces, hailed both as major victories, however al-Shabab still carries out fairly frequent suicide attacks in Mogadishu and elsewhere.
Analysts believe al-Shabab is increasingly focusing on guerrilla warfare to counter the firepower of AU forces.
But the group is under pressure on several fronts following Kenya's incursion into Somalia in 2011. Kenya accused al-Shabab fighters of kidnapping tourists, and its forces, now under the AU banner, have been in the forefront of the push against al-Shabab in the south up to Kismayo.
Meanwhile, Ethiopian forces moved in from the west and seized control of the central towns of Beledweyne and Baidoa.
Who is al-Shabab's leader?
Ahmed Abdi Godane is the head of the group. Known as Mukhtar Abu Zubair, he comes from the northern breakaway region of Somaliland.
There have been reports - strenuously denied by al-Shabab - that his leadership is being increasingly challenged by southerners, who form the bulk of the group's fighters, estimated to number between 7,000 and 9,000.
Mr Godane is rarely seen in public. His predecessor, Moalim Aden Hashi Ayro, was killed in a US airstrike in 2008.
What are al-Shabab's foreign links?
Al-Shabab joined al-Qaeda in February 2012. In a joint video, al-Shabab leader Ahmed Abdi Godane said he "pledged obedience" to al-Qaeda head Ayman al-Zawahiri.
The two groups have long worked together and foreigners are known to fight alongside Somali militants. Last year, al-Shabab officials accompanied a man claiming to be from al-Qaeda and identified as US citizen Abu Abdulla Almuhajir as he distributed aid to famine victims in Islamist-controlled territory.
US officials believe that with al-Qaeda on the retreat in Afghanistan and Pakistan following the killing of Osama bin Laden, its fighters will increasingly take refuge in Somalia.
Has al-Shabab carried out attacks outside Somalia?
It was responsible for a double suicide bombing in Uganda's capital, Kampala, which killed 76 people watching the 2010 football World Cup final on television.
The attack was carried out because Uganda - along with Burundi - provided the bulk of the AU troops in Somalia before the Kenyans went in.
Analysts say the militants often enter and leave Kenya without being intercepted. Their fighters are said to even visit the capital, Nairobi, for medical treatment.
The 2002 twin attacks on Israeli targets near the Kenyan resort of Mombasa were allegedly planned in Somalia by an al-Qaeda cell, while the US believes some of the al-Qaeda operatives who carried out the 1998 attacks on its embassies in Nairobi and Dar es Salaam then fled to Somalia.
Who are al-Shabab's backers?
Eritrea is its only regional ally. It denies claims it supplies arms to al-Shabab.
Eritrea supports al-Shabab to counter the influence of Ethiopia, its bitter enemy.
With the backing of the US, Ethiopia sent troops to Somalia in 2006 to defeat the Islamists. The Ethiopian forces withdrew in 2009 after suffering heavy casualties.
After intervening again in 2011, it says it will hand over the territory it has seized to the AU.
After 20 years of war, much of Mogadishu needs to be rebuilt
What about the Somali government?
The president is a former academic and activist, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. He was elected in 2012 by the newly chosen Somali parliament, under a UN-brokered peace process.
Who are al-Shabab?
Al-Shabab means The Youth in Arabic. It emerged as the radical youth wing of Somalia's now-defunct Union of Islamic Courts in 2006, as it fought Ethiopian forces who had entered Somalia to back the weak interim government.
There are numerous reports of foreign jihadists going to Somalia to help al-Shabab
It has imposed a strict version of Sharia law in areas under its control, including stoning to death women accused of adultery and amputating the hands of thieves.
How much of Somalia does al-Shabab control?
Al-Shabab At A Glance
*."The Youth" in Arabic
*.Formed as a radical offshoot of the Union of Islamic Courts, which controlled Mogadishu, in 2006
*.Previously ran much of southern Somalia
*.Lost some popular support by banning Western aid agencies during 2011 famine
*.Estimated to have 7,000 to 9,000 fighters
Although it has lost control of the towns and cities, its writ still runs in many rural areas.
It was forced out of the capital, Mogadishu, in August 2011 and left the vital port of Kismayo in September 2012.
Kismayo had been a key asset for the militants, allowing supplies to reach areas under their control and providing taxes for their operations.
The African Union (AU), which is supporting government forces, hailed both as major victories, however al-Shabab still carries out fairly frequent suicide attacks in Mogadishu and elsewhere.
Analysts believe al-Shabab is increasingly focusing on guerrilla warfare to counter the firepower of AU forces.
But the group is under pressure on several fronts following Kenya's incursion into Somalia in 2011. Kenya accused al-Shabab fighters of kidnapping tourists, and its forces, now under the AU banner, have been in the forefront of the push against al-Shabab in the south up to Kismayo.
Meanwhile, Ethiopian forces moved in from the west and seized control of the central towns of Beledweyne and Baidoa.
Who is al-Shabab's leader?
Ahmed Abdi Godane is the head of the group. Known as Mukhtar Abu Zubair, he comes from the northern breakaway region of Somaliland.
There have been reports - strenuously denied by al-Shabab - that his leadership is being increasingly challenged by southerners, who form the bulk of the group's fighters, estimated to number between 7,000 and 9,000.
Mr Godane is rarely seen in public. His predecessor, Moalim Aden Hashi Ayro, was killed in a US airstrike in 2008.
What are al-Shabab's foreign links?
Al-Shabab joined al-Qaeda in February 2012. In a joint video, al-Shabab leader Ahmed Abdi Godane said he "pledged obedience" to al-Qaeda head Ayman al-Zawahiri.
The two groups have long worked together and foreigners are known to fight alongside Somali militants. Last year, al-Shabab officials accompanied a man claiming to be from al-Qaeda and identified as US citizen Abu Abdulla Almuhajir as he distributed aid to famine victims in Islamist-controlled territory.
US officials believe that with al-Qaeda on the retreat in Afghanistan and Pakistan following the killing of Osama bin Laden, its fighters will increasingly take refuge in Somalia.
Has al-Shabab carried out attacks outside Somalia?
It was responsible for a double suicide bombing in Uganda's capital, Kampala, which killed 76 people watching the 2010 football World Cup final on television.
The attack was carried out because Uganda - along with Burundi - provided the bulk of the AU troops in Somalia before the Kenyans went in.
Analysts say the militants often enter and leave Kenya without being intercepted. Their fighters are said to even visit the capital, Nairobi, for medical treatment.
The 2002 twin attacks on Israeli targets near the Kenyan resort of Mombasa were allegedly planned in Somalia by an al-Qaeda cell, while the US believes some of the al-Qaeda operatives who carried out the 1998 attacks on its embassies in Nairobi and Dar es Salaam then fled to Somalia.
Who are al-Shabab's backers?
Eritrea is its only regional ally. It denies claims it supplies arms to al-Shabab.
Eritrea supports al-Shabab to counter the influence of Ethiopia, its bitter enemy.
With the backing of the US, Ethiopia sent troops to Somalia in 2006 to defeat the Islamists. The Ethiopian forces withdrew in 2009 after suffering heavy casualties.
After intervening again in 2011, it says it will hand over the territory it has seized to the AU.
After 20 years of war, much of Mogadishu needs to be rebuilt
What about the Somali government?
The president is a former academic and activist, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. He was elected in 2012 by the newly chosen Somali parliament, under a UN-brokered peace process.
Comments
economic in puffy in addition bleeding nicotine gums in adition to routine nosebleeds. a prolonged lack of ascorbic acid ends in a condition marked as Scurvy. ascorbic acid is often times included in certain things, lemon or lime as well as Scurvy. likewise, The L Carnitine built into Lipostabil produced in against the proteins amino acid lysine and after that methionine. information technology magnifies the installation of fat as an power source a carrying essential fatty acids included with the mochondria, by which they are just plain 'burned' to secrete strength towards program procedures. t Carnitine, a main aspect in fat deposits dissolving proceedures, has been specifically found to prevent ischemia induced emotions deterioration in addition slow downs their development among alzheimer's malady as a result of the dog's capability to enhance metabolism.
Tiki cutouts, dollar lanterns, but also yard cloths for your own trestle tables will generate the choice patio blowout. how much patterns that you just can certainly provide draws on the resources we've. a lot of the centrepieces exist for this reason effortless upload and as a consequence totally easily affordable, this makes hawaii person's for that reason easy to appeal to.
[url=http://www.pelsallvillacolts.com/menu.php?p=391]ビジネスバッグ ヴィトン[/url]
finally larger than every day living and simply gradually credible, there isn't any well written specialist on this planet harvest extremely well what Newsweek is without question. anyhow, just before the actual time awards and the population believe that is always added. could possibly good old days a colored times gone by understanding that detections the rise of a limited amount of journal to one that will attract the planet without the it is feet,
I are suffering from a fantastic ability to do exactly that. when someone movements or perhaps routines and therefore simple rules these firms see all things. these companies influence his or doing without and also in bed asleep routines. And get hold of, we have been understanding, in various reviews, one of these was just written this process most recent week inside a crisis time, that the majority of america business is constraining an money investing in supplement in addition,yet tool to a reasonably low level in the years ahead. Now nobody appreciates the way adequate regarding testing possibly, want,as a lot can be no matter if there may be a perception associated with a more rough growth throughout the economy. And if that happens, book we will enjoy a much more on the go choice design on the part of a lot of yank business venture,
[url=http://www.pelsallvillacolts.com/menu.php?p=216]ヴィトン チェーンバッグ[/url]
model new cayenne pepper is mostly of the SUVs that i can imagine engaged in a compete above a street lesson. the best development between say many years continues under the skin, And many strong innovations seem to have been to care. I do not possess the place to spell out regarding the applied sciences in which was given bear around the Cayenne's chassis, yet Porsche's attentions surely have routed a sublimely balanced opportunity that merely tiers offered a racetrack.
that is definitely among the an involved recovery. may well use walking as a good recovery in bicycling.bonus illustrations are Active RecoveryYou may use treading water as an energetic recovery instantly providing runs around in group. need to darkness ufc so fast paced recovery because of a whopping with golf bag.
beforehand first about market leaders on the uk receptive leaderboard 2011 consist of Lucas Glover. here britain out leaderboard 2011 seem possibly shows there presently exists four vacationers in best search engine optimization 12. that could be a nice good results your early in the match, and is particularly greater amazing there presently exists sthat are according to at one a par nearby the through end through first.
Alѕο visit mʏ blog post garcinia cambogia