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A letter from former al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden to al-Shabaab leader Mukhtar Abu al-Zubayr documents bin Laden's denial of the al-Zubayr's request for formal unity.

The letter, dated August 7th, 2010, is part of 17 documents discovered during the Abottabad raid in Pakistan that led to bin Laden's death in May 2011.

Ayman al-Zawahiri, bin Laden's successor, announced al-Shabaab's merger with al-Qaeda in February 2012. The merger is believed to have brought much division within the ranks of al-Shabaab, including open dissent and loss of public support following operations targeting civilians.

Keeping it secret

In the letter, bin Laden discouraged al-Zubayr, also known as Ahmed Godane, from openly declaring Somalia an Islamic Emirate. He also advised him to keep co-ordination with al-Qaeda secret, and to refer to the relationship between the two groups as "a brotherly Islamic connection":

We received your generous letter and I was happy reading what this letter contained about most jihad groups having united to join you; also about certain issues which occurred, of which you debated two important issues: the issue of declaring the state and the issue of unity with the brothers.

I see that there should be a practical working emirate on the ground, but without declaring it in the media or confirming it in any paperwork, in order to avoid these documents leaking out to the enemies – should it happen for any reason.

This is my opinion, but you are there on the ground and you see all realities; whatever you see and witness live, the absent does not see. Therefore, you would balance out between the pros and cons on the issue of declaring or not declaring the establishment of the emirate; if you decide to make the declaration, then as I see it, you should make the declaration under the name of the Islamic Emirate of Somalia, with its named emir to be the Emir of the Islamic Emirate of Somalia.

Now, in relation to the issue of unity, I see that this legitimate obligation should be carried out through unannounced secret messaging, while spreading this matter among the people of Somalia, without any official declaration by any officers on our side or your side, that the unity has taken place. And there remains the discourse of the brothers on your side if asked about their relationship with al-Qaeda. [They should say] there is a relationship with al-Qaeda, which is simply a brotherly Islamic connection, without denying or confirming.

Bin Laden also said an open relationship with al-Qaeda would discourage Arab merchants from aiding Somalis and would strain the relationship between the militants and the Somali people:

Some Muslims in Somalia are suffering from immense poverty and malnutrition because of the continuity of wars in their country; I am determined, using one of my statements, to press the merchants in the countries of the Arabian Peninsula to support pro-active and important developmental projects which are not expensive; we happened to have tried these in Sudan. Therefore, by not having the mujahidin openly allied with al-Qaeda, it would strengthen those merchants who are willing to help the brothers in Somalia, and would keep people with the mujahidin.

Bin Laden's letter also carried light admonition over al-Shabaab's causing civilian and Muslim casualties while staging attacks against AU forces:

Regarding your strike against the African Forces, you must review it enough to minimize the [damages] on Muslims from their onerous attacks against Bakara Market.

Maybe your operations against them could be during their arrival to or departure from the airport and without conducting your operational attacks against their headquarters, unless those operations were large or through underground tunnels helping you reach the heart of the camp; and with time, an external attack. Anyway, we hope that you review this matter and may God empower and bless you with accuracy against your target.

Al-Zawahiri disagreed with bin Laden

In a sign of internal disagreement over the relationship between al-Qaeda and its affiliates, another letter, believed to be written by al-Zawahiri in December 2010 and released as part of the 17 documents, urged bin Laden to reconsider his position regarding the merger with al-Shabaab:

I see it to be very essential for al-Qaada to confirm and declare its linkage with its branches, in order to become a reported fact; there is no use in denying it. Therefore, please reconsider your opinion not to declare the accession of the brothers of Somalia so as not to be pressured later on to announce our disassociation with them or with others.