ConflictBarometer_2016

SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA
SOMALIA, KENYA (AL-SHABAAB)
Intensity: 5 | Change: | Start: 2006
Conflict parties:
Conflict items:
al-Shabaab vs. Somalia, Kenya
system/ideology, national power
The war over national power and the orientation of the political
system between the Islamist militant group al-Shabaab
and the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) as well as the
Kenyan government continued for the 11th consecutive year.
The Somali National Army (SNA) was supported by local government
forces from the states of Galgaduud and Jubaland
as well as the autonomous region of Puntland. It received
further international support from the USA and the EU as well
as troops sent by the African Union Mission for Somalia (AMI-
SOM), and additional Kenyan Defense Forces (KDF).
Both the UNSOM and the AMISOM mandate were extended
until 03/31/17 and 05/31/17 respectively. Furthermore,
Somalia and Kenya signed a cooperation agreement on various
issues such as trade, border security, and infrastructure
on February 2. On May 23, Kenya asked the international
community for support in closing the Dadaab refugee camp,
Garissa County, which Kenya suspected to harbor several al-
Shabaab fighters and facilitate arms trafficking. According to
Interpol, al-Shabaab tried to control the illicit trade of wildlife
products after it had lost control over the main charcoal traffic
routes. Thus, al-Shabaab reportedly established relations
with Boko Haram in order to enhance the trade market [→
Nigeria (Boko Haram)]. As in the previous year, the so-called
Islamic State (IS) called upon al-Shabaab several times to
pledge allegiance to the group [→ Syria, Iraq et al. (IS)]. Several
violent incidents were connected to activities of an ISaffiliated
group, which formerly belonged to al-Shabaab. On
May 5, SNA killed twelve alleged IS militants in Janale, Lower
Shabelle state. On October 26, the IS-affiliated group took
control over the port city of Qandala, Bari state. SNA recaptured
the town on December 7, leaving 30 fighters dead and
wounding 35.
Throughout the year, SNA and AMISOM forces managed to
push back al-Shabaab from several major strongholds in Somalia.
In the Bakool region, security operations left at least 46
people dead and led to the withdrawal of the group from key
villages near Wajid town. Furthermore, SNA raided several
al-Shabaab bases in Bulajadiid village and Hudur town. In the
Bay region, SNA offensives in the cities of Ja'eemo, Baidoa,
Gofgadud, and Dinsor as well as Qansan Dheere district led to
the death of at least 36 people and the recapture of several
villages. In the Gedo region, AMISOM and KDF killed at least
44 militants during airstrikes in the cities of El Adde and Tulo
Barwaqo in the first half of the year. Joint forces captured the
five al-Shabaab strongholds in the towns of Matano, Anole,
Tubako, and Qutaley, on August 15 as well as Jungal village
on October 27, killing at least five people. Clashes between
joint forces and al-Shabaab in Surayo location, resulted in
the death of seven militants on August 19. SNA, AMISOM,
and local government forces advanced in Galgaduud, including
operations in the el-Bur district between January 28 and
September 7, killing at least 38 and injuring 30. Duringamajor
operation on March 27, Galgaduud forces killed at least
115 militants and arrested 110. Moreover, Galgaduud and
SNA forces killed 27 al-Shabaab in anti-terror operations between
March and September in central Galgaduud, and the
villages Bud-bud, el-Abdi and Aad. Middle and Lower Shabelle
continued to be affected by violence. From February
until the end of May, joint forces took back control of the
towns of Marka, Biya-Adde, Qoordhere, Runirgod, Barire, and
Toratorow. From April 2 until November 16, joint forces raids
on al-Shabaab camps led to the killing of at least 50 militants
in the towns of Janale, Afgoye, Beled Amin, Adan Yabal, K50,
and Mir-tugo. Joint US-Somali air operations in Toratorow led
to the killing of at least ten, including three high ranking militants
on May 11 and September 5. Joint forces backed by
Jubaland troops advanced in the Lower Juba region, resulting
inahigh number of casualties. During ground assaults, raids,
and clearing operations of SNA, AMISOM, KDF, and Jubaland
forces, at least 144 people were killed. Backed by US air
forces, SNA and AMISOM further attacked al-Shabaab bases
in the town of Bulo Gadud, Gedo, on July 21, killing a large
number of people. In Puntland, local forces killed up to 200
al-Shabaab and captured 46 during ''Operation Danab” in
Suuj valley between March 14 and 24. 20 Puntland forces
were killed. On March 24, they rounded up 156 suspected al-
Shabaab in the city Bosasso, Bari. Between February 24 and
July 10, joint forces repelled the militants from the towns el-
Baraf, Halgan and Gobole, Hiiraan region, leaving at least 110
militants dead.
Throughout the year, several US air strikes killed hundreds
of al-Shabaab. For example, a combined aircraft and drone
strike near the capital Mogadishu on March 5, killed more
than 150 militants, including five top commanders. US forces
further killed senior al-Shabaab military commander Abdullahi
Haji Da'ud in an airstrike on May 27. The same day, the
Pentagon announced a Somali army ground operation on May
31 had killed Mohamed Dulyadayn, who was believed to be
the responsible planner of the 2015 Garissa University attack.
In Lower and Middle Juba, US Special Forces killed more than
30 militants, including senior commanders and the group's
spokesperson Abu Mus'ab in Sakow town between August
10 and 14 as well as four militants in Kanjaron district on
September 26. Two days later, the US reportedly misdirected
an airstrike, killing 22 local government forces and civilians
in Galkayo, Galgaduud. However, the US claimed it had killed
al-Shabaab fighters. Galgaduud accused Puntland of having
deliberately provided false information to the US [→ Somalia
(Puntland)].
Despite government offensives, al-Shabaab regained control
of considerable parts of the country and continuously
attacked the joint forces, civilians, several MPs, and other
officials. The militants mostly conducted IED, gun, and suicide
bomb attacks. Most attacks took place in Mogadishu.
Militants attacked a hotel and restaurant on Lido Beach on
January 21 and August 25, killing more than 50 civilians.
Also, the SYL Hotel was attacked on February 26 and Au-
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