Somalia: Line in the Sand. Identification of MYM Vulnerabilities
Abstract
Since 1991, the Somali people have existed without a functioning government. Poverty, clan clashes, and western influences have left Somalia lifeless and without direction. For the last two years, the people of Somalia have been witness to a conflict fought for religious reasons. The aggressive nature of this conflict has resulted in thousands of deaths, destruction of sacred monuments, and brother on brother, family on family, and clan on clan battles. The battle lines have been drawn in the sand. On one side is the Somali Transitional Government (TFG) and their African Union supporters, and on the other side is the Al-Shabaab foreign terrorist organization, also known as the Mujahedeen Youth Movement (MYM). The battle between these two groups has been waged on the streets of Mogadishu, the desolate towns and villages of central and southern Somalia, and on the media front. Al-Shabaab's tactical victories and information operations tactics have swelled recruitment, increased funding from Somali diaspora living abroad, and caught the attention and support of senior Al-Qaeda leadership, not to mention, terrorism analysts in western intelligence agencies. However, careful analysis of their strategy reveals vulnerabilities that western analysts should be able to identify, and together with operational planners orchestrate a plan or strategic campaign for defeating this growing threat. A synchronized effort by U.S., African Union, and TFG agencies may result in limiting MYM influence in Somalia and abroad. This paper assesses these vulnerabilities using the four sources of national power -- Diplomatic, Informational, Military, and Economic -- and the strategic, operational, and tactical levels of war. The paper does not address what specific actions or defeat mechanisms should be applied to the MYM.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 2009
- Accession Number
- ADA520730
Entities
People
- Eloy E. Cuevas
Organizations
- Naval War College