October 09, 2012
Al-Shabaab finds itself on the verge of collapse after the group fled the strategic city of Kismayo at the end of September ahead of advancing Somali National Army and African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) troops.
The al-Qaeda-allied group lost Kismayo at a time when its top leaders are fighting over power, influence and money, and the group's fighters are suffering from plummeting morale, particularly those who feel deceived by the group's senior leadership.
Kismayo is the fifth regional capital that al-Shabaab has lost in recent months after Marka, Beledweyne, Baidoa and Hudur, but Kismayo was the most significant because it was the group's main stronghold for years and served as a key source of revenue.
These rapid territorial losses have caused great instability within the group, as its leaders will be driven further into hiding as they search for a new safe haven.
These factors, among others, are splintering the group further and laying the groundwork for its complete dissolution.
Al-Shabaab fighters have been defecting in record numbers recently due to the group's military losses, illusory doctrine and inability to pay salaries.
The biggest act of defection in al-Shabaab's history occurred on September 22nd when over 200 of its fighters defending Jowhar surrendered with their weapons. Two days later, Hizbul Islam also broke away from the group.
Since its inception, the al-Qaeda-linked group has used deception to recruit teenagers and children, claiming it defends Islam and engages in jihad against infidels. These assertions have proven implausible over time as al-Shabaab's frantic quest to seize power has shown that it does not defend Islam, but rather kills innocent civilians in contrast to the teachings of Islam.
Al-Shabaab fighters are also leaving as financial incentives are disappearing. The group has been unable to pay its members' salaries as most of its financial resources have dried up, which will only worsen after losing Kismayo since it was important for al-Shabaab's illegal charcoal trade.
There is also growing resentment among the rank and file with the upper echelons of the movement who do not fight alongside its fighters, but merely offer guidance. Al-Shabaab leaders immediately withdraw from cities at the first sign of danger, leaving youths to fight on their own.
The widening gap between the leadership and the fighters has even led al-Shabaab to execute its own members, reflecting a crisis a confidence the group is suffering from.
Bitter disputes among top leaders of the movement also threaten the future unity of al-Shabaab.
For instance, two factions have appeared within the group: one controlled by Mukhtar Abu al-Zubayr, also known as Ahmed Godane, and another led by Sheikh Mukhtar Robow Ali, known as Abu Mansur.
Al-Zubayr's group, called the "Followers of the religion of Abraham", is controlled by foreigners, while Ali's group believes in the "Somalisation" of the movement, or reducing the role of foreign fighters in al-Shabaab's decision-making process.
After the fall of the port city of Kismayo, al-Shabaab is scrambling to regroup and continue operations, finding refuge only in a few land-locked areas under its control in the south-west. With Somali and AMISOM forces now in control of key cities in Somalia following more than a year of continued al-Shabaab defeats, members of the group have little hope of escaping the inevitable.
The group's top leaders, whether Somali or foreign, cannot easily blend into Somali society because they are known for the heinous crimes they committed against innocent civilians. The bounties that the United States offered in June of up to $33 million in return for information on top-tier al-Shabaab leaders will make it even harder for them to find a sanctuary.
Some al-Shabaab leaders have reportedly fled into areas such as the Galgala Mountains or the Lower Jubba jungles, where remnants of the Islamic Courts took shelter when they were defeated by the Ethiopian army in 2006. They could elect to hunker down there or travel through central Somalia and set sail on small boats to seek protection from al-Qaeda in Yemen.
Ordinary members of the group, however, can blend into society. This latest defeat in Kismayo may give the rank and file the opportunity to turn their backs on the insurgency and terrorism, and choose to surrender and take advantage of the government's amnesty programme.
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Reader's Comments
The al-shabaab groups were defeat
The federelal republic of somalia will only have peace when it will come into terms and recognition of the wonderful counsellor , the almighty god and the Prince of peace . somalia rejected God ,and it will only have peace when it incorporates the prince of peace in the peace building mission to save it .The begining point is to forgive the al-shabaab bring them onto the dialoge table together with all other fragments of al-qaeda.Why God is love and forgiving.may the God almighty save somalia from further bloodshed.
As the youth of Puntland in Garowe, we would like to urge the military of the federal government to work on the process of restoring peace in Somalia.
Come to me tomorrow.
Brothers, I think the notorious group called Al-Shabaab wants to shed the blood of Muslims. That means this is a group sent to massacre the people.
fanatism was the main force behind the alshaabab,lies, religion doctrines that are twisted to suit the few top leaders in monentary gains. may allah wrath fall upon them.
You have all lied because Al-Shabaab was not defeated.
wat alshabaab were propagating to muslims is contrary to the faith of islam and the teachings of prophet muhammad s.a.w.iam a muslim and i can honestly confess that my faith was almost diluted by the heinous acts of alshabaab.i wish the muslim community should come upfront and condemn this group and preach what ALLAH swt teaches us!GOD BLESS SOMALIYA
MAY GOD BLESS KENYA,KDF AND ALL THE CITIZEN.LET US LIVE IN PEACE.AND HARMONY.
May the Omnipotent, Omnicient and Omnipresent God fight for the KDF and bless them for the good job they are doing
thank God(Allah)that we r behind this unwanted war in somali and the people of somalia can now work tireslly and luive peacefully
KDF we love you and the whole world ows you respect.GOD BLESS YOU WITH YOUR FARMILIES.
Iam very proud of KDF ,May others goverment and Churches have such a common goal and we will eradicate poverty and sin like alshabaab were chased out of somalia
bravo amison and kdf.peace and stability is an important element of success and islam should not be used as a cover up for terrorists and jihadists under allah.
MADE ME PROUND TO BE KENYAN
Job well done Somali and AMISON Forces,these are not Islam diffenders but Killers.Bravo !!!!!!!
they just need a solution because they have lost kisimayu but doing and agree with this dissolution the will kill again they just try to find the gap of getting in but you will end with total loss of human life.
if our kenyan leaders can work on corruption as KDF have worked on al-shabab, then kenya can be a better continent on its on. keep up KDF
GOD BE WITH YOU KDF I SUPPORT U
al shabab are the killers so must be wiped out for ever
Well for the resique of the non voice people of Somalia as were undermined for a long time. There is no action with long term of justice without an end let leave the Somalians work freely without fear. Readers of Al-shabaab were not innocent enough to thing of humanity and hospitality, as a freedom fighter I beleave that this will a lesson to other dictator readers in Africa.
keep it up K.D.F,never give up.
Congrat to all who pertispated.God bless you all.
There is no peace to the wicked. The Bible says
I think our soldiers are doing well in fields of guiding kenyan from terrolism and other forms of ilegal groups which may undermine our peace.Infact i am congraturating you even more.Al-shabaab should rooted in great deal.
I HAVEN'T LIKED IT
1ST salute is 4 our good God next 4 KDF and lastly 2 all AMISON soldiers.God bless yah!! .... God bless KENYA!!.........God bless Somalia!!!!! PEACE!!!
KDF u r unbogable keep the flag high
I fully support the work done.May God expand your territory.
i think this is a great idea because they got what they wanted excellent work K.D.F but do not forget they will never give up.
oh GOD bring peace to avoid more bloodshed.let us all have peace love and unity regardless of our different religions and communities.
it seems as if there are some political leaders who fund the group.
Al-Shabaab is finished
Bravo Amison i realy cherish your work done i am wishing i had a previlage being with you guys you have done a wonerfull job
But u should never relent we hv not worn yet may b they r stil re organising themselves anyway u guys have proved da streangth of our nationality GOD BLESS U!!!!
We know that its only the force from USA nothing else, our brothers Alshabaab are fighting for their rights. They do not have any problem with any one, and I believe Allah is with them and will help them InshaAllah. Ya Allah help our brothers to get what they want. I don’t believe Al-Shabaab was destroyed because it is only a foreigner who will be fearful of death. The other thing is Kibaki has got in to a problem that it can’t go out. He has to do either of these 2 things now; to let the Somalia do what they want to do or to get destroyed.
has kdf really restored the dignity somalia city? i doubt that fact! why? because no al shabaab leader was caught or his life terminated during the process. this shows they went back to the very first restored towns.
KUDOS KDF, we are so proud of you and proud to be Kenyans. Now al-shabaab will never have chance to brutalize our dear friends from Somalia and here in Kenya. Job excellently done. you need not to relax yet till republic of Somalia army is strong enough.plus WE WISH ALL THE TO SOMALIANS AS THEY REBUILT THEIR REPUBLIC. GOD BLESS YOU ALL AND GOD BLESS SOMALIA. * AMEN*.
i stand for peace
may God protect our brothers and sisters there.Congratulations KDF
iloooooooooooveeeee alshabaaab
Good work done by KDF but dont forget that our borders are Porause and we should put more energies and skills on our internal security
This is good news. We badly need peace in the horn of Africa.
congrant and cograturation;we knw that is risking your life and can die any time thank you for that
I was for it. Good work AMISON
This shows that African solutions to African problems DO work! There has certainly been Western (US) assistance and for good reason- why should the beautiful, loving people of the region continue to suffer?
kudos boys.i salute u all
Well written article but the onus is still on AMISOM to pacify the rest of Somalia from Al Shabab renegades whose only intent is to create further tragedy for the majority of peace loving Somalis and the entire region. I congratulate men and women of KDF, UDF, and other AMISOM contingents who sacrificed so much to wrestle Kismayo and other areas from Al Shabab renegades.Long live Kenya,Uganda,Djibouti,Ethiopia ,Sierra Leone and Somalia.
It’s very important to protect human right at all cost and that is what the AMISON is doing. For the rogue individuals like ALSHABAB they purely serve self interest directed by delusions which is not compatible to what Islamic religion means to Muslims. Their defeat mark the beginning of disapproval by the Almighty God, God who is orderly and compassionate not disorganized in decision making as well as not being brutal. God has never been defeated to deal with false prophets like Alshabab, if they want to know this, let them ask King Ahab and Prophet Elijah. If that is not enough, let them ask Moses and King Pharaoh of ancient Egypt. Indeed this political faction - Alshaabab are children of Satan for its the character of Satan to ever pursue evil things but not good. Satan s work is to destroy human life and that is what they do. prophet Mohammed never taught such doctrines they spread and deceive the youths to join them in liberation of Islam, Islam is a religion that is inspired by God and prophet Mohamed to stand as a role model in spreading it under the freedom of choice to join or not but not dictatorial kind of approach. It’s real that God has been patient with this group of people, however as for now, he has lost that patience and ready to teach them a lesson they will never forget. Under God’s wrath no human person can hide and escape because there won’t be any safe haven for them, be it in Yemen or in hell for God is omnipresent and needs no radar to operate.
I think these people they do not what they do, killing innocent people, it is better to vanish them, i congratulate Kenya Force
job well done keep it up don`t relax.
Al-Shabaab has become extinct.
Peace on you, brother. I salute all the dignitaries of the nation.
Now what of Migingo Island
KDF SHOULD NOT RELAX UNTIL THE JOB IS WELLDONE AND SANITY BROUGHT TO THE PEOPLE OF SOMALIA .I SALUTE U GUYS!
Thats great KDF. ALLAH BLESS. GO 4 Migigo next. UG is not as strong as U.
cheers!!!!!!!!!!! KDF thumbs up!!!!!!!!!!!!! God will always bless you
Am just very proud of you guys,Men & Women who have made it a success,I wish u all God blessings...... KUDOS KDF.
really you have made it god bless you all for that.
it takes commitment & loyalty to accomplish suh a great commission kudos KDF
Now Al-Shabaab have no policy because they have lost Kismayu and the economic problem. They need to get organized
Kudos to KDF u av made our country pround coz of ua continous sacrifices dat u av alwayz made in an xpenses of this country,one pple,one Kenya,great love for our men.
Kudos The boys
they nare starving now..give up mapema
JOB WELL DONE. CONGRATS KDF! WE LOVE YOU THE DEAREST!
I said cudos to KDF for exellency job in Somalia. But i concered with Onguru with what he has said abuot corruption in our nation. Let the government warch b4 we do awy with the. God bless u all.
kenyans kundows
Good work KDF,i know it has taken hard work to accomplish this mission.May God bless you all.
god bless k.d.f u r 1 in a million strong men&women
Good work men God bless you and your families.
i salute the kdf for giving up their lives for the peace of kenyans
YES LET THEM AND SIMILAR GROUPS DISSOLVE FOR EVER BECAUSE THEY DO NOT KNOW THAT POVERTY, DISEASES,IGNORANCE ARE ENOUGH TO MAKE US KEEP SPENDING HUGE SUMS OF OUR SCARCE RESOURCES (MONEY) TO GET AWAY FROM THEM.
but now if we do find that bombs or grunades explode in our country does it mean that Al shabaab was brought to an end? still strategic watching towers must be improvised and put into space.
The Al-shaabab and other similar militia organizations bring hell in the life of innocent citizens and the sad thing is that they hide religion. These are terrible users, they engage innocent parties in strife against each other while in the background these supposed leaders of the militia groups engage in lucrative business deals under the protection of the fighters who hardly make ends meet from the salaries they are paid. Al-shaabab is a group that doesn’t respect human life and it’s good that they have been expelled from Somalia. All Somali citizens should rise up and build their country and forever keep these bandits away forever.
I say thanks and continue until they leave us. I’m happy with our troops as Kenyans.
hongera our forces you are not to be doubted
May God protect you always.Cheers Our KDF
We know that its only the force from USA nothing else, our brothers Alshabaab are fighting for their rights. They do not have any problem with any one, and I believe Allah is with them and will help them InshaAllah. Ya Allah help our brothers to get what they want
BRAVO KDF MAY ALMIGHTY GOD BE WITH YOU AND LEAD YOU TO THE END OF WAR AGAINST ALSHABAAB IN SOMALIA THANXS .LEONARD IMBWENYA
u r great people,operaration well tackled,thanks for protecting fellow innocent beings who die in favour of rich UNGODLY people,get good rid of them.
You are people who were very much deceived and who support the disbelievers who are out to attack us and who commit genocide in our country every day. You are at a loss and God will hold you accountable for your support you give to the disbelievers while opposing your fellow Muslims.
Kudos KDF you are the best Doing everything for the benefit of your country!
pls keep it up so that this people shouid leave us alone thank u
bravo KDF...thanks for risking your lives for our country ....
GOOD JOB MEN AND WOMEN
kudos K D F, we love you Kenyan, This is the time we need you more than ever, keep it up and deal with M.R.C and MUNGIKI, may God bless you abudantly and take care of you all.
GOOD JOB KDF,May the Lord Jesus Christ give you strengths for protecting our country
we are the oneS to make a better day so lets not give in...says THE LATE MJ,,,BRAVO KDF
Well done to AMISON and KDF troops, this is very impressive indeed. Now it is of utmost importance that they execute everyone they capture. Al Sha-baab are a virus that must be exterminated, or they will regroup, They are not soldiers or respectable military men, they are murdering scum and should not receive P.O.W status as they are ruthless thugs who have terrorized the entire East Africa too long. I am not an East African but I do care about your people here.
Now East Africa has a great reason to celebrate since we are going to have peace at the horn of Africa, GOD BLESS AFRICA.
Why are you like that Al-Shabaab? Have mercy so that you can be good people
The Al-shaabab and other similar militia organizations bring hell in the life of innocent citizens and the sad thing is that they hide religion. These are terrible users, they engage innocent parties in strife against each other while in the background these supposed leaders of the militia groups engage in lucrative business deals under the protection of the fighters who hardly make ends meet from the salaries they are paid. Al-shaabab is a group that doesn’t respect human life and it’s good that they have been expelled from Somalia. All Somali citizens should rise up and build their country and forever keep these bandits away forever.
God protect you always and kudos for what you have done so far.
Its a big development. Free Somali at last.
I pray to God to stop Al-Shabaab from causing problems in our country, God willing.
its now time for somali to become a repulic after being freed from the hands of the militia.
An action worth commendable.You remain our heroes.Thumbs up
may the heavens reward u big! bravo KDF
well done kdf -come back to kenya and do the same to m r c and mungiki followers no difference between them and al shaabab.
THANKS FOR THAT WORK
The goverment needs educated army officers to handle the poliitical situation in the regoin,vizav MPs.,Ministers., clan Leaders.
The truth is I hate these Al-Shabaab there is nothing as bad as using God’s religion inappropriately killing a thousand people and saying that you are safeguarding your religion that is just folly. Just read about these people you will also hate them. Al-Shabaab, Boko haramu, Al-Qaeda, Uamsho, Taliban and that guy from Mombasa.
Let this be a warning to those who want to violet our borders that we aint just career soldiers.kudos kdf
CHEERS KDF U ARE THE BEST. NEVER SURRENDER TILL U FINISH THE ALS... ALUTA CONTINUA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Now East Africa has a great reason to celebrate since we are going to have peace at the horn of Africa, after more than a decade of lawlessness in the region.
kudos, i was once part of u guys. congrats
Thank you KDF. You are the people!! Those useless things will know who to play around with next time.
kudos to KDF and the amason for the good work done in somalia. we are protected with our boundrys.
kudos KDF, you woke up a sleeping giant, sacrifice begets success Al Shabab vanquished to the dustbin of history never to rise up again.Well done KDF and keep up the momentum you are the best south of Sahara east of Limpopo God Bless you
Yes in reality, Alshabaab is defeated Thanks to KDF and Somali National Army or Ras kamboni brigade whatever you may call it, though another mistake happened by allowing the Alshabaab to fisuled out of Kismayu. This is the mistake America and British deed in Kudush, Afghanistant, to leave Osama and the Alcaeda dissapear into Pakistan under the support of Taliban and their associated tribes.
We did it.so we ni to reSt PLiz
keep it up
peace must submited with force in somalia
Now somalia has reason to smile thanks to KDF
keep goin kdf, and its ma prayer that yo masters will be touched en reward you deservingly.
Yah indeed the Al shaababs deserve that.They thought that they the conquerers but atlast they are captured and indeed they need to be demolished.But my vote of thanks goes to the AMISONS for their great effort that they put in and let them keep it up!And no mercies should be left upon the Al-l Shabab coz they have really disturbed Africa for along time as everything has its own begining and end.There forty days are down..........
STOP LYING AL-SHABAAB WILL NOT BE DEFEATED
Al-shabab are done ,the ball is in some else court !!!!!
Good job Soldiers
CONGRATULATIONS
Defeat Al-Shabaab they are of no use. They are selfish
the mujahidin were non defeated....and allaah examines thier iman ... am sure thu ultimate victory is for them...the war in somalia is based on religion ...so muslims have to coe here and dfend islam... this is wajib over all muslims,,,,, allaah is with us nit with kenyans,,,,
Let them keep it up bring peace to the citizens
Our defense forces have done exceedingly great! Kudos, we highly salute you. May God be with you ALWAYS!
Good Work done. Boys Cogratulation. Let Us do the same thing to MRC
QUOTING THE WORDS OF THE FOUNDING FATHER MZEE JOMO KENYATTA "HE WHO PLAYS WITH KENYA WILL BE SHOWN THE FATE OF THE WOODCUTTER” ..... KUDOS KDF AND GOD BLESS YOU ALL.
GOOD RIDDANCE
The KDF have shown that we have the capacity to protect our territory and help liberate our neighbors that have been subjected many years of suffering. Congratulations to all who gave their lives to ensure that the dream of restoring peace to Somalia is fulfilled. May the Lord strengthen you more and more and give the protection you need. Remain strong in spirit.
Bravo KDF
Its happy and good news to hear the end of Al-shabab for their distructive actions against the society. That is really the point Onguru because I think every bad forces was created by unequal oppurtunity or unequal treatment. therefore Gv should focus on the resettlement of yuth by giving good oppurtunity so that they dont need to think negatively.....
A STEP AHEAD IN SECURITY MATTERS
Congrats!to the kdf you shown victory all over God bless you abudantly
AL-SHABAAB IS NOT A THING ANYMORE NOW. THEY ARE BACKWARD PEOPLE WHO ARE STILL LIVING IN THE PAST. THEY ALSO COME ACROSS AS PEOPLE WHO DO NOT LIKE DEVELOPMENT. CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR TROOPS
you are great men but does it make sense for you being in somali yet in kenya there is insecurity.men think about that
We wait and see how God will decide this issue.
It has been a good job done by the KDF in demolishing tyrant troops and maintaining security in and of the country.
I don’t believe Al-Shabaab was destroyed because it is only a foreigner who will be fearful of death. The other thing is Kenya has got in to a problem that it can’t go out. She has to do either of these 2 things now; to come out of Somalia or to get destroyed.
i like what the goverment did
HONGERA !!!!!!! KDF.You are the east African territory "SECURITY CHAMPIONS"
Al shabab ofcourse is dead long ago kudos amisom
keep it up KDF lets protects our citizens,but let the goverment know that much are coming if they dont look very, well why do i say that:we youths of kenya have really tried to join the forces but cos of corruption,we have not been able to get the opportunity so defects will start when youths will join such bad forces for there livehood.watch,i say watch!!!!!!!!!!
As said by your article, Al-Shabaab is disintegrating further and its disintegration is becoming greater than before because their stronghold town of Kismayo was captured hence giving the government a great opportunity to take advantage of Al-Shabaab. The residents of Kismayo are now relieved of the problems they were meeting from Al-Shabaab.