Understanding the Emergence of Alshabab in Somalia
Abstract
A radical islamic insurgency named Alshabab (or Al-Shabaab) has appeared in Somalia in recent years. African Union forces, with the support of the international community, are actively engaged to defeat this movement. The African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), composed of 9,000 troops from Uganda and Burundi, is confronting Alshabab, alongside the Transitional Federal Government's (TFG) forces. On October 2011, Kenya also launched a military campaign into Somalia to defeat the radical group. This thesis investigates the emergence of Alshabab in Somalia. The movement has adopted a jihadist ideology as well as terrorist methods. The collapse of the Somali State two decades ago, and a number of other factors, both internal and external, could explain the spread of this radical ideology in Somalia. These factors could also explain the predominance of Alshabab over other armed factions. However, due to its radicalism and its uncompromising stance on politics, Alshabab is becoming isolated. Nevertheless, the movement is benefitting from the division of its opponents, and the total defeat of Alshabab with an exclusive military approach is unlikely to succeed.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 16, 2011
- Accession Number
- ADA556167
Entities
People
- Mohamed O. Assowe
Organizations
- United States Army Command and General Staff College