Al Qaeda Links
Al-Shabaab emerged from Somalia's Islamic Courts Union that controlled central and southern Somalia for six months in 2006 before being ousted by Ethiopian troops.
The group which advocates a strict version of sharia or Islamic law, declared its allegiance to Al-Qaeda and was officially integrated in 2012. It was designated a foreign terrorist organisation by the US State Department in 2008.
Al-Shabaab fighters were chased out of their last bastions in Mogadishu in 2011 by a 22,000-strong African Union mission which has been in Somalia since 2007.
Spreading Peril Beyond its Borders
Al-Shabaab has carried out a spate of bloody attacks in neighbouring Kenya since its troops intervened in Somalia in 2011 as part of the AU force then known as AMISOM.
The deadliest was in Apr 2015 when 148 people, mainly students, were killed at Garissa University in northeastern Kenya.
In Sep 2013, Al-Shabaab claimed a bloody siege on the Westgate shopping mall in Nairobi that killed 67 people over four days.
In Jan 2019, an hour-long attack on an upscale Nairobi hotel complex left at least 21 dead.
Its first major operation outside Somalia was in Jul 2010 in Uganda, the main contributor to the AU force. It carried out suicide bombings in two restaurants in the capital, Kampala, that killed 76 people.
Foreign Forces
The UN voted in March to replace AMISOM with ATMIS (African Union Transition Mission in Somalia) which has a more offensive remit than its predecessor.
Its goal is to gradually reduce troop numbers to zero by the end of 2024 with security to be assumed by Somalia's army and police, although analysts doubt they will be made by then.
The force is drawn from Uganda, Burundi, Djibouti, Ethiopia and Kenya, with troops deployed in Somalia.
In May, US President Joe Biden ordered the reestablishment of a US troop presence in Somalia.
My take
Many places in Africa are in a volatile state, where people seem to be hell-bent on annihilating each other for no rhyme or reason. The countries need to organise themselves into a confederation which safeguards security, healthy living emphasising quality education to one and all. Illiteracy and poverty need to be eradicated on priority!
The United Nations needs to urge its members to help in policing the volatile regions and bring about a peaceful condition out there. The African people need that assistance, pronto.
Tailpiece.
It was a wet day to begin with. Got up at 6, the chores and was ready by a half past 9.
Sreejith brought back the Chevy after the fault was identified, isolated and rectified. The replacement of the bumper will be carried out in a fortnight from now once the spare arrives from Pune.
Had gone across to the bank to make a transfer to the caretaker for sprucing up Raj Nivas during Onam time. Bought grocery from the Harisree Supermarket on return.
It's pouring as I punch in this narrative.
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