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BACKGROUND INFORMATION

 

“Zwei Anlässe für die Gründung der Shabaab werden in der wissenschaftlichen Literatur angeführt. Der am häufigsten genannte Grund liegt in der chaotischen Situation, die durch den jahrelang anhaltenden Bürgerkrieg in Somalia verursacht wurde, so dass die Union Islamischer Gerichte beschloss, zwischen 2004 und 2006 die Shabaab-Milizen als militärischen Arm zu gründen, um wieder eine stabile Ordnung zu etablieren.“ (KAS, 11 August 2011)

 

“2006 erlangte die Rebellenorganisation 'Union islamischer Gerichte' die Kontrolle über weite Teile Süd- und Zentralsomalias und etablierte insbesondere in Mogadischu erstmals seit Kriegsbeginn eine gewisse Stabilität. Ende des Jahres marschierten äthiopische Truppen in Somalia ein und entmachteten die 'Union islamischer Gerichte'. Die föderale Übergangsregierung versuchte mit Unterstützung Äthiopiens, die Kontrolle zu übernehmen, stieß aber auf erbitterten Widerstand von Clans und islamistischen Milizen, die die äthiopische Militärpräsenz ablehnten.“ (AI, December 2011)

 

„Remnants of the ICU regrouped in the Al Harakat Al Mujahidin Al-Shabaab, or al-Shabab (Youth Movement), and other armed opposition groups, including the Hizbul Islam coalition formed in early 2009.“ (AI, 20 July 2011, p. 9)

 

“Im März 2007 kamen die ersten Schutztruppen der Friedensmission der Afrikanischen Union (AMISOM) zur Unterstützung der Übergangsregierung ins Land. 2009 zogen sich die äthiopischen Truppen aus Somalia zurück. Der gemäßigte Islamist Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed wurde neuer Präsident der Übergangsregierung, die von der extremistischen al-Shabaab-Miliz bekämpft wurde. Al-Shabaab war zwar als Jugendorganisation der 'Union islamischer Gerichte' tätig, wurde aber nach deren Zerschlagung durch die äthiopischen Truppen eine eigenständige Organisation. Bis Ende 2010 übernahm al-Shabaab in weiten Teilen Süd- und Zentralsomalias wieder die Kontrolle. Die Übergangsregierung wurde unter dem Schutz der AMISOM-Mission auf Teile Mogadischus zurückgedrängt.

Ab Februar 2011 intensivierten die Truppen der Übergangsregierung und AMISOM-Truppen den Kampf gegen die al-Shabaab-Miliz, die sich im August 2011 aus Mogadischu zurückziehen mussten und im Sommer auch in anderen Teilen des Landes unter Druck gerieten. Nach mehreren Überfällen und Entführungen von ausländischen Staatsbürgern aus Kenia durch somalische Milizen marschierten im Oktober 2011 kenianische Truppen im Süden Somalias ein.“ (AI, December 2011)

 

“In December, Kenya decided that its troops in Somalia would join AMISOM. On 31 December, pro-TFG and Ethiopian forces captured the border town of Beletweyne.” (AI, 24 May 2012)
 
“Al-Shabaab committed serious abuses such as targeted killings, beheadings, and executions, and forcibly recruited adults and children in areas under its control. On July 22, 2012, in the coastal town of Merka, al-Shabaab publicly executed three men it accused of being Western spies. Al-Shabaab continued to apply an extreme form of Islamic law in areas under its control, restricting the movement of people in need of humanitarian assistance or seeking to flee fighting in Kismayo. […] Al-Shabaab has targeted children for recruitment, forced marriage, and rape, and has attacked teachers and schools. […] Al-Shabaab maintains restrictions on humanitarian assistance and prohibits more than 16 humanitarian organizations, including the UN’s Children Fund (UNICEF) and Action Contre la Faim (ACF), from working in areas under its control.” (HRW, 31 January 2013)

 

OVERVIEW

 

“Originally the small, youth militia arm of a relatively moderate Islamist organization that rose to power in Somalia in early 2006, al Shabaab was radicalized and brought to prominence as a popular Islamist guerilla movement by Ethiopia’s invasion in December of that year. However, since early 2008 al Shabaab has undergone yet another transformation, this time from a largely nationalist organization focused on driving out Ethiopia through conventional military means to a hybrid movement that has increasingly embraced transnational terrorism and attempted to portray itself as part of the al Qaeda-led global war against the West.” (CSIS, 15 July 2011, p. 1)

 

“Al-Shabab factions continued to torture and unlawfully kill people they accused of spying or not conforming to their own interpretation of Islamic law. They killed people in public, including by stoning them to death, and carried out amputations and floggings. They also imposed restrictive dress codes on women and men.” (AI, 24 May 2012)

 

“The Islamist armed group al-Shabaab is subjecting inhabitants of southern Somalia to killings, cruel punishments, and repressive social control, Human Rights Watch said in a report released today. […] Based on over 70 interviews with victims and witnesses, the report describes harsh punishments including amputations and floggings, which are meted out regularly and without due process. People accused of being traitors or government sympathizers - often on flimsy pretexts - face execution or assassination.“ (HRW, 19 April 2011)

 

“Al-Shabaab continued to commit frequent killings during the year. This included politically motivated killings that targeted those affiliated with the TFG; attacks on humanitarians, NGO employees, and foreign peacekeepers; killings of prominent peace activists, community leaders, clan elders, and their family members for their roles in peace building; and beheadings of persons it accused of spying for and collaborating with Somali national forces and affiliated militia. […] Suicide bombers suspected to be linked to al-Shabaab but with no clear affiliation carried out suicide attacks.” (USDOS, 19 April 2013, Section 1a)

 

“Al-Shabaab has subjected young men and boys to abuses that include forced military recruitment and strict social control. […] Beatings or public humiliations are commonly meted out to men for a broad range of offenses such as failing to go to mosque, having long hair, or wearing clothes that al-Shabaab considers Western.“ (HRW, 19 April 2011)

 

“Girls are also reported to be increasingly recruited for marriage to fighters. […] Further, allegations that Al-Shabaab combatants were systematically forcing girls into early marriages were received in October. Two cases perpetrated by the Transitional Federal Government were also documented.” (UNSC, 23 April 2011, p. 30-32)

 

“Al-Shabab continued to forcibly recruit boys, some as young as eight, into their forces before and during military operations. Many were sent to the front line. Girls were also recruited to cook and clean for al-Shabab forces or forced to marry its members.” (AI, 24 May 2012)

 

“In most areas under al- Shabab control, women and girls have been forced to wear the hijab (Islamic headscarf), or the abaya (a traditional Islamic over-gown). Women and girls found not wearing such clothing have been punished with flogging, often on the spot.” (AI, 20 July 2011, p. 47)

 
“Its interpretation of sharia (Islamic law) resulted in uneven, and in most cases, draconian sentencing (see section 1.e.). Canings, beatings, and other abuses were used to punish persons for activities such as participating in prohibited recreational activities and dressing in a way deemed improper. Al-Shabaab also employed intimidation, beating, and torture to extract confessions.
There were widespread press reports throughout the year of al-Shabaab combatants committing rape and forced marriages.” (USDOS, 24 May 2012, Section 1c)

 

“During the year, much of the south and central regions remained under the control of the terrorist organization al-Shabaab, although military action by African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), TFG, Ethiopian, and Kenyan forces liberated areas from its control. Al-Shabaab harassed persons suspected of converting from Islam, killed Sufi clerics who did not subscribe to its brand of violent Islam, maimed and killed those who failed to adhere to its edicts, and destroyed or desecrated Sufi graves and mosques.” (USDOS, 30 July 2012)

 

“Al-Shabaab and other opposition fighters threaten and kill civilians they see as sympathetic to the transitional government. Al-Shabaab has also carried out devastating suicide attacks against civilians, including one at a university graduation ceremony in Mogadishu that killed at least 22 people in December 2009.” (HRW, 19 April 2011)

 

“Al-Shabaab derived its funding in part through taxation of businesses and private citizens, customs and other revenue from Kismayo port, and financial donations from Somali and non-Somali sympathizers both inside Somalia and abroad. […] In areas controlled by al-Shabaab, the terrorist group may ‘tax’ goods’ movements, including some humanitarian shipments.” (USDOS, 31 July 2012)

 

“Al-Shabaab derived most of its funding internally, particularly from control over the key port of Kismaayo and taxation of goods and legitimate commerce. […] Al-Shabaab also financed its operations through extortion of private citizens and local businesses, revenue from air and seaports under their control, and to an unknown extent by diversion of humanitarian and development assistance. […] In areas controlled by al-Shabaab, the group "taxed" goods' movements.” (USDOS, 18 August 2011)

 

“UNHCR Somalia stated that Al-Shabaab is far better to secure law and order than the TFG, as it is more disciplined and efficient. However, its law and order is maintained by terror, amputations, beheadings and other human rights violations, and a very strict interpretation of Islamic law. Also, arbitrary taxation and forced military recruitment are reportedly rampant in areas controlled by Al-Shabaab. UNHCR Somalia emphasized that people living and travelling in areas controlled by Al-Shabaab mostly accept the rules and punishments by Al-Shabaab out of fear and adaptation, and not out of sympathy or respect for the organisation.” (DIS, April 2012)
 
“The eastern Somalia-Ethiopia border region is among the areas heavily infested with UXOs, which were planted during the 1977 border war. Cities that witnessed more recent clashes between government troops and the insurgent Al-Shabab militia group are similarly affected. […] ‘The laying of mines by Al-Shabab has been reported as a means to secure strategic locations. This is in addition to the detritus of war left after decades of civil conflict, and the minefields laid during the Ogaden and Somali National Movement conflicts.’ [notes the UN Mine Action Service (UNMAS) on its website.]” (IRIN, 1 February 2013)

 

CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS

 

For a timeline for October-Dezember 2011, see the archived version of this featured topic: http://www.ecoi.net/local_link/222426/329856_en.html

 

JANUARY 2012

 

“The Kenyan army says it has killed 60 Somali al-Shabab militia fighters in air strikes and is determined to ‘break their spine completely’. […] Kenyan air strikes hit al-Shabab positions in Garbaharey in southern Somalia's Gedo region, according to Col Oguna.“ (BBC, 7 January 2012)

 

“Pro-government forces have launched a major offensive from the Somali capital, Mogadishu, to seize territory from al-Shabab Islamist militants. Some 1,000 soldiers backed up by 20 tanks captured three al-Shabab bases, a senior security official said.” (BBC, 20 January 2012)

 

“Islamist militants have launched a suicide truck bomb attack on an Ethiopian military base in central Somalia, witnesses say. Al-Shabab says it killed 10 Ethiopian soldiers in the attack in the town of Beledweyne but this has not been confirmed.” (BBC, 24 January 2012)

 

“The UN has expressed concern over a ban by Somalia's Al-Shabab insurgents on aid distributions by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), with the UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Somalia saying the move would reverse gains made in the country's food security.” (IRIN, 31 January 2012)

 

FEBRUARY 2012

 

“A key town in southern Somalia has been captured by Kenyan troops and government forces from Islamist militants, Kenya's army says. Badhadhe - some 180km (110 miles) south of Kismayo - fell after heavy fighting, according to local residents.” (BBC, 2 February 2012)

 

“Kenya's military has struck al Shabaab targets in one of the most devastating attacks against the al Qaeda-linked insurgents since it launched an operation in Somalia to crush the rebels last October, a Kenyan army officer said on Saturday. Colonel Cyrus Oguna said two helicopter gunships hit a convoy of al Shabaab in Dalayat village in southern Somalia on Friday evening, following intelligence that the fighters were planning to attack Kenyan forces in nearby Bhadhadhe.” (Reuters – Alert net, 4 February 2012)

 

“At least 15 people were killed by a suicide bomber from the Al-Qaeda linked Shebab, officials said Thursday, as details emerged of the heavy blast in Somalia's war-torn capital Mogadishu.” (AFP, 9 February 2012)

 

“Islamist militant group al-Shabab, which controls much of Somalia, has released a joint video with al-Qaeda, announcing the two groups have merged.” (BBC, 10 February 2012)

 

“African Union troops launched an offensive against al Qaeda-linked Somali rebels and captured strongholds to the south of the capital Mogadishu, the AU force said on Tuesday.” (Reuters – Alert net, 14 February 2012)

 

“The BBC's Mohammed Dhore in Mogadishu says people fled to the Afgoye corridor when fighting in the capital escalated in 2007. They are now heading back to Mogadishu, he says, to escape heavy artillery shelling and mortar fire as African Union and Somali government troops battle al-Shabab militants for control of Afgoye, about 30km (18 miles) from Mogadishu.” (BBC, 15 February 2012)

 

“Somalia's Al-Qaeda-allied Shebab rebels warned Saturday they were stepping up a bombing campaign in the war-torn capital Mogadishu, a day after a car bomb at a police station wounded two.” (AFP, 18 February 2012)

 

“Ethiopian and Somali troops have taken a strategic stronghold of Islamist militants in south-western Somalia. Eyewitnesses told the BBC that about 50 vehicles, including some 20 tanks, had entered Baidoa, which was not defended. After the southern port of Kismayo, the town was the most important al-Shabab base.” (BBC, 22 February 2012)

 

“A renewed offensive against Al-Shabab insurgents by Somali government forces, backed by Ethiopian, Kenyan and African Union troops, has sparked another influx of civilians to the capital Mogadishu, locals told IRIN. ‘Since 18 February, we estimate that between 10,000 and 11,000 families [60,000-66,000 people] have arrived in Mogadishu, fleeing fighting or the fear of fighting in their home areas,’ said Abdullahi Shirwa, head of the government's National Disaster Management Agency. Most new arrivals are coming from the Afgoye corridor, ‘but a significant number are coming from the towns of Beletweyne and Baidoa [which were recently liberated from Al-Shabab by Ethiopian forces supporting the Transitional Federal Government]’.” (IRIN, 28 February 2012)

 

MARCH 2012

 

“A veteran Somali journalist who had been trying to relaunch a radio station shut down by an extremist group has been shot dead. […] A former colleague of Hassan told the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) that he had been trying to relaunch his radio station, which was forcibly closed and looted by Al-Shabaab insurgents in May 2010.” (The Guardian, 1 March 2012)

 

“Islamist militants have made a surprise attack on a south-western town used by Ethiopian and Somali government-backed troops as a base to launch assaults. The al-Shabab fighters used heavy weaponry in the attack on Garbaharey, which it controlled until a year ago.” (BBC, 1 March 2012)

 

“Somali government and African Union forces have seized an area on the outskirts of Mogadishu from al-Qaida-linked rebels. Officials say the forces launched an attack to seize Maslah from militant group al-Shabab early Friday. Witnesses report the troops seized control of the northern area after a gunbattle that lasted several hours.” (VOA, 2 March 2012)

 

“Islamist al Shabaab rebels attacked soldiers from Somalia's semi-autonomous Puntland region, leaving at least nine people dead on Saturday, officials said, in the latest sign of a resurgence by the militants in the area.” (Reuters – Alert net, 3 March 2012)

 

“The crumbling building is now occupied by Ethiopian troops who nearly two weeks ago forced Shebab rebels out of Baidoa, their former Shebab stronghold and Somalia's third-largest city. It is the second time Ethiopia has occupied Baidoa after pulling out of Somalia in 2009 following a bloody two-year war.” (AFP, 5 March 2012)

 

“African Union troops are set to replace Ethiopian forces in two Somali cities recently taken from Shebab rebels, the AU Commissioner for the Peace and Security Council said Friday. By the end of April, over 2,500 Djiboutian, Burundian and Ugandan soldiers with the AU Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) are set to move into Beledweyne and Baidoa, where rebels were forced out by Ethiopian forces in recent months.” (AFP, 9 March 2012)

 

“Islamist militant group al-Shabab has ambushed an Ethiopian base in Somalia, with dozens of casualties, reports say. They attacked the base, near Yurkut village in the central region of Geddo, from two directions at dawn. Al-Shabab claimed to have killed 73 Ethiopians, while the Somali government said it in turn killed 48 members of the militant group.” (BBC, 10 March 2012)

 

“An offensive by Somalia's Islamist Shebab fighters on Ethiopian troops on Saturday left many combatants dead, military sources on both sides and witnesses told AFP. ‘The fighting around the village of Yurkut was the most intense since Ethiopian forces entered Somalia’ in November, said one of the witnesses in the country's southwestern region, Abukar Moalim Yarow. Military sources in both camps gave differing tolls but stressed the fierceness of the fighting, which lasted three hours, according to independent witnesses. ‘The mujahideen fighters led their most important military incursion against enemy positions in Yurkut,’ Sheikh Mohamed Abu-Fatma, a top Shebab commander in the sector, told AFP by telephone.” (AFP, 10 March 2012)

 

“At least five people have been killed in a suicide bombing in the heart of the Somalia's capital, Mogadishu, officials have said. […] The Islamist militants al-Shabab said they carried out the bombing. Since being pushed out of Mogadishu in August, the group has staged a number of deadly attacks in the city.” (BBC, 15 March 2012)

 

“Several thousand people have been displaced by clashes between Al-Shabab insurgents and Somali troops assisted by Ethiopian and Kenyan soldiers in Somalia's southwestern Gedo region, locals told IRIN. ‘In the last couple of weeks, we have had some 5,000 people displaced by the conflict; we already had hundreds of families who were displaced,’ Mohamed Abdi Kaliil, governor of Gedo, told IRIN from Garbaharey, the regional capital. ‘We are trying to find some help for the displaced in our area but so far nothing.’” (IRIN, 15 March 2012)

 

“About six people have been killed in Somalia after mortars landed on a refugee camp near the presidential palace in Mogadishu, officials say. A family of four were reportedly among those killed when a mortar landed on their shack - a girl of seven is said to be the only survivor. Islamist group al-Shabab said it had fired more than a dozen mortars.” (BBC, 19 March 2012)

 

“A pro-government Somali militia on Tuesday wrested back a key town from extremist Shebab rebels in fierce clashes both sides claimed killed several of their rivals, witnesses and officials said. Gunmen from the Ahlu Sunna Wal Jamaa militia mounted a counter-attack against the Al Qaeda-linked Shebab insurgents who had seized the central Dhusamareb town at a dawn.” (AFP, 20 March 2012)

 

“A car bomb exploded in the heart of the Somali capital on Wednesday, wounding two people in an attack Somalia's al Shabaab rebel group said was carried out by its militants. […] ‘We were behind the car bomb explosion. We targeted security forces,’ Sheikh Abdiasis Abu Musab, a spokesman for al Shabaab's military operations, told Reuters.” (Reuters, 21 March 2012)

 

“Ethiopian forces and Somali pro-government troops have captured a major base from al-Shabab militants, residents say. The central town of El Bur was one of the main bases still controlled by the al-Qaeda-linked group, analysts say. But residents say al-Shabab fighters had withdrawn before the pro-government forces arrived. Al-Shabab still controls many southern areas but is also under pressure from Kenyan and African Union forces.” (BBC, 26 March 2012)

 

“Somalia's Al Qaeda-linked Shebab rebels killed two civilians Monday at a camp for the displaced near the presidential compound which they targeted with mortar bombs, a security official said. The attack was the third this month against the heavily guarded compound in the war-torn capital Mogadishu. Eleven people were killed in separate suicide and mortar attacks earlier this month, which the Shebab claimed.” (AFP, 26 March 2012)

 

“African forces backing Somali government troops said they took control of one of the Islamist rebellion's last strongholds Friday, sparking intense clashes on the outskirts of Mogadishu. ‘Troops from the Somali army backed by troops from the African Union Mission in Somalia on Friday morning seized the district of Deynile and routed the Al-Qaeda-affiliated Shebab terrorists,’ AMISOM spokesman Paddy Ankunda said in a statement. But well after that statement, in early evening shooting could still be heard in the area, a humanitarian source in Mogadishu told AFP.” (AFP, 30 March 2012)

 

APRIL 2012

 

„Reports from Somalia say two of the country's top national sports officials are among at least six people who have been killed in a suicide bomb attack by suspected Islamist militants. The attack occurred on April 4 at the newly reopened national theater in the capital, Mogadishu. Officials said the dead included the president of Somalia's Olympic committee and the national football federation president. The Al-Qaeda-linked Al-Shabab militant group has claimed responsibility.“ (RFE/RL, 4 April 2012)

 

“The head of Somalia's Olympic committee and its football chief are among eight people killed in a bomb attack on a high-profile event in Mogadishu. Prime Minister Abdiweli Mohamed Ali survived the blast unhurt after it struck the newly re-opened national theatre in the capital, Mogadishu. Militants from the al-Shabab group say they carried out the bombing.” (BBC, 4 April 2012)

 

“Reporters Without Borders has learned that Mahad Salad Adan, the editor-in-chief of radio Voice of Hiran, was murdered this afternoon in Beledweyn, the capital of the central region of Hiran. […] Transitional Federal Government forces said he was murdered by a member of the Islamist Al-Shabaab militia who was in turn shot dead by a government soldier as he was trying to escape. Radio Shabelle said that, shortly before his death, Adan has covered a dispute between Al-Shabaab and another islamist militia called Ahlu Sunah Waljama.” (RSF, 5 April 2012)

 

“A bomb blast in a market in the strategic Somali town of Baidoa on Monday killed at least 11 people and wounded many more in the latest in a string of attacks in the war-torn nation, an official said. […] No group immediately claimed responsibility for Monday's bombing, but the Shebab have launched a series of recent guerrilla attacks and vowed to topple the Western-backed government.” (AFP, 9 April 2012)

 

“At least 12 people have been killed and more than 30 badly injured by a bombing in the central Somali town of Baidoa. […] A spokesman for al-Shabab's military operations said it was behind for the blast. ‘We targeted the Ethiopian and the Somali troops. About three of them died,’ Sheikh Abdiasis Abu Musab told the Reuters news agency. In February al-Shabab merged with al-Qaeda, and still controls much of the south of the country.” (BBC, 9 April 2012)

 

“Al-Shabab militants have moved north to semi-autonomous Puntland after being pushed out of central Somalia, Puntland President Abdirahman Farole says. […]

The president says they are gathering in Puntland's Galgala mountains and the Golis range that borders the self-declared republic of Somaliland.” (BBC, 11 April 2012)

 

MAY 2012

 

„Bomb attacks in Somalia claimed by Islamist rebels killed at least eight people including two lawmakers Tuesday, as the international community warned that ‘spoilers’ threaten the fragile progress in the war-torn nation. A suicide bomber killed at least six people in an attack in the central Somali town of Dhusamareb as lawmakers met with the public, while a car bomb in the anarchic capital Mogadishu killed two, the latest in a wave of violence.“ (AFP, 1 May 2012)

 

“African Union and Somali troops launched a long-awaited assault Tuesday against the Al-Qaeda linked Shebab stronghold of Afgoye, the world's largest displaced people's camp, officials said.” (AFP, 22 May 2012)

 

“African Union and Somali government troops were within striking distance Wednesday of the key rebel stronghold of Afgoye, site of the world's largest displaced people's camp, officials said. Civilians fled as long columns of Somali and AU troops backed by tanks advanced for a second day, moving from the capital Mogadishu towards Afgoye, a strategic town and a key base of the Al-Qaeda-linked Shebab fighters.” (AFP, 23 May 2012)

 

“Thousands of Somalis are fleeing fighting as African Union forces advance on Afgoye, an Islamist stronghold near the capital, Mogadishu. The troops have advanced to within 10km (six miles) of the key town held by al-Shabab, an AU spokesman told the BBC.” (BBC, 23 May 2012)

 

“African Union and Somali troops have captured the strategic town of Afgoye from Al-Qaeda-linked Shebab insurgents, who mostly fled in advance of the assault, an AU army spokesman said Friday.” (AFP, 25 May 2012)

 

„Somalia's Al-Qaeda-linked Shebab insurgents shrugged off recent strategic losses and growing military pressure Tuesday to launch an ambush on the president -- who escaped unhurt -- and fire on foreign warships. Two Somali soldiers were wounded when Shebab gunmen opened fire as President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed drove down the Afgoye corridor, a key road and home to the world's largest concentration of displaced people, for the first time since its capture on Friday. […]

After the fall of Afgoye, the port town of Kismayo is the last major rebel bastion. The Shebab said Tuesday they had engaged in a fierce exchange of gunfire there with foreign warships.“ (AFP, 29 May 2012)

 

“African Union forces entered the southern Somali town of Afmadow, one of the few remaining bases held by Al-Qaeda linked Shebab insurgents, an army spokesman said Wednesday.” (AFP, 30 May 2012) “Commanders say the Islamist al-Shabab group abandoned the town without a fight as their troops approached. Afmadow is the second largest town in the south and only 115km (71 miles) from Kismayo, al-Shabab's headquarters. Despite facing pressure on a number of military fronts, the al-Qaeda group still controls much of the country.” (BBC, 31 May 2012)

 

JUNE 2012

 

„A suicide bomber in Somalia has rammed a vehicle loaded with explosives into the gate of a government base in the town of Afgoye. The militant Islamist group al-Shabab said one of its fighters carried out the attack. Casualties have been reported, but details are unclear.“ (BBC, 16 June 2012)

 

„The allied forces entered the town of Balad, 30 kilometres (20 miles) north of Mogadishu at around midday with no resistance from the Al-Qaeda affiliated Shebab rebels. ‘We have taken control of Balad and the surrounding villages. The Shebab militants fled the area before we arrived,’ General Ali Araye Osoble, Somali military spokesman said.“ (AFP, 26 June 2012)

“Hundreds of families from villages in Somalia's Bal'ad District, in Middle Shabelle Region, have been displaced following recent fighting between African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and Transitional Federal Government (TFG) forces and Al-Shabab insurgents, say officials. […] The displacement followed 25 June clashes in Bal'ad, about 40km northwest of Mogadishu, with the worst affected areas being the villages of Wala-Moy and Hamar-Daye, said an official with the Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs, Youth and Sport, who preferred anonymity.” (IRIN, 5 July 2012)

 

JULY 2012

 

„Somali government soldiers and African Union troops have seized a major Islamist militant training base, a Somali army commander has told the BBC. […]

Observers say the capture of Lanta-Buro, 40km (25 miles) west of the capital Mogadishu, is a major setback for the al-Qaeda group. It still controls much of Somalia but is under pressure on several fronts.“ (BBC, 11 July 2012)

 

“African Union troops in central Somalia have recovered more than 500 bags of food aid that were stolen by the insurgent group al-Shabab. The AU says the food, which was meant for drought-stricken Somali families, was instead being used to feed al-Shabab militants at a training camp outside Mogadishu. […]

AMISOM says it also recovered a cache of machine guns and bomb-making equipment during the raid, which left 11 al-Shabab fighters dead and four others captured.” (VOA, 13 July 2012)

 

AUGUST 2012

 

“One of Somalia's best known comedians has been buried after being shot dead at his home in the capital, Mogadishu by two unidentified men.[…]

It is not clear who was behind the killing but last year he was threatened by militant group al-Shabab. He used to make people laugh by impersonating Islamist fighters.” (BBC, 1 August 2012)

 

“Yusif Ali Osman, a former veteran journalist and official in Somalia's Ministry of Information, was shot dead in the Dharkenley district of the capital on Sunday morning by two young men reported to have been wearing school uniforms. […]

The Islamist armed group al-Shabab has reportedly claimed responsibility for his death, calling him an enemy working for the TFG.” (AI, 13 August 2012)

 

“Somali pro-government forces say they have taken control of the port of Merca from al-Shabab militants. The port is some 70km (45 miles) south of Mogadishu, which the Islamists were forced to leave last year. ‘There was some fighting, but not so heavy,’ said a spokesman for the African Union mission in Somalia, adding that most al-Shabab fighters had already left the port.” (BBC, 27 August 2012)

 

SEPTEMBER 2012

 

“The Kenyan navy has shelled Kismayo, the main Somali city controlled by militant Islamist group al-Shabab, a military spokesman has told the BBC.” (BBC, 4 September 2012)

 

“Hundreds of civilians have over recent weeks fled the Somali port city of Kismayo, where tension is rising amid sporadic shelling by the Kenyan navy in the run-up to an African Union military operation to dislodge Al-Shabab militants from their last stronghold in the country. Some 800 people left Kismayo between 30 August and 6 September, according to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), which tracks population movements in Somalia.” (IRIN, 6 September 2012)

 

“Somalia's president survived an assassination bid Wednesday, just two days into his new job, when bomb blasts claimed by Islamist rebels rocked the Mogadishu hotel where he was meeting Kenya's foreign minister. Hassan Sheikh Mohamud was unharmed after two blasts went off outside the hotel where he had been staying in central Mogadishu, but three soldiers were killed in what appeared to be an attack by multiple suicide bombers.” (AFP, 12 September 2012)

 

“Residents in the Somali city of Kismayo have told the BBC that fighters from the Islamist group al-Shabab are leaving their stronghold in the port.” (BBC, 18 September 2012)

 

“More than 6,000 civilians have fled ahead of the anticipated assault on the strategic port city, the United Nations refugee agency UNHCR said Wednesday, with aid agencies preparing for a potential swift escalation of those needing support.” (AFP, 19 September 2012)

 

“Supporters of Somalia's Al-Qaeda linked Shebab killed 14 people and wounded 20 more in a double suicide attack in the capital Mogadishu Thursday, in one of most deadly attacks for several months.” (AFP, 20 September 2012)

 

“Two suicide bombers have blown themselves up in a restaurant in Somalia's capital Mogadishu, killing at least 14 people, officials say.” (BBC, 20 September 2012)

 

“Gunmen have shot dead a member of Somalia's new parliament in an attack in the capital Mogadishu. Mustafa Haji Maalim was gunned down after leaving a mosque in the southern Waberi district following evening prayers, witnesses said. The speaker of parliament, Mohamed Osman Jawari, said he was killed by ‘elements that are known for cruelty’. This appears to be a reference to the Islamist militant group al-Shabab.” (BBC, 22 September 2012)

 

“A Kenyan soldier with the African Union force in Somalia killed six people, all thought to be civilians, when he fired on them, a spokesman for the Kenyan Defence Forces said Monday. […] The shooting took place shortly after a Shebab ambush in which one Kenyan soldier died.” (AFP, 24 September 2012)

 

“Kenya's military says its jets have bombed the airport in the Somali city of Kismayo, destroying an armoury and warehouse used by Islamist militants. […] An al-Shabab spokesman said no-one was killed and no property damaged.” (BBC, 26 September 2012)

 

“Reporters Without Borders is appalled by the murders of two more journalists in Mogadishu in the past two days, one shot dead at a checkpoint today and one found beheaded yesterday morning. […] The first of the past two day’s victims was Abdirahman Mohamed Ali, a sports reporter for the Ciyaarahamaanta.com website, who was founded beheaded yesterday morning in Suqa Holaha, a district on the north side of the capital, after being kidnapped the previous night from his mother’s home. The Islamist militia Al-Shabaab acknowledged responsibility for his murder, saying he did not live in Suqa Holaha and claiming he had gone there to spy on Al-Shabaab members.” (RSF, 28 September 2012)

 

“African Union troops backed by jets launched a beach assault Friday on the southern Somali port city of Kismayo, the last major stronghold of the Islamist Shebab insurgents.” (AFP, 28 September 2012)

 

“Islamist militants in Somalia say they have withdrawn from their southern stronghold of Kismayo, following an African Union (AU) military attack.” (BBC, 29 September 2012) 

 

OCTOBER 2012

 

“The first Somali government and African Union troops are reported to have entered the strategic Somali port of Kismayo, witnesses and officials say. They have been battling the al-Shabab militia for control of the city.” (BBC, 1. October 2012)

 

“A loud explosion was heard as Somali government troops together with African Union (AU) forces established control of the port city of Kismayo. […] An al-Shabab spokesman, Sheikh Abdiasis Abu Musab, told Reuters news agency that the explosion had been caused by a bomb planted in a district administration office building. ‘This is only an introduction to the forthcoming explosions,’ he said.” (BBC, 2 October 2012)

 

“African Union and Somali troops say they have secured Wanla Weyn, a town formerly held by Islamists about 90km (55 mi) from Mogadishu. The advance represents the latest gain by Somali and regional forces at the expense of the Islamists of al-Shabab.” (BBC, 7 October 2012)

 

“Islamist militants in Somalia have banned one of the last foreign aid agencies still working in areas under their control. Al-Shabab says the UK-based Islamic Relief was covertly working on behalf of other aid groups already banned, including the UN World Food Programme.” (BBC, 8 October 2012)

 

“A journalist in the breakaway republic of Somaliland has been killed by gunmen as he returned home. Ahmed Farah Ilyas was a reporter in Las Anod, the main city of the volatile Sool region, for UK-based Somali station Universal TV. Before he was shot, he had been covering the story of a landmine explosion blamed by the authorities on al-Qaeda-aligned Islamist militants.” (BBC, 24 October 2012)

 

“At least six civilians were killed in war-ravaged Somalia after their bus was hit close to the frontline with Al-Qaeda linked Shebab fighters, witnesses said Thursday. […] ‘There was fighting between the AU forces and the Shebab... and the bus drove into the middle ground between them,’ Yahya added, saying the incident took place late Wednesday near Lego.” (AFP, 25 October 2012)

 

„A top Somali military commander has been killed in an ambush - the first general to be killed by the Islamists. Mohamed Ibrahim Farah, nicknamed "Gordon", was killed near Merca, a strategic town captured from the al-Shabab militants in August.“ (BBC, 29 October 2012)

 

„Gunmen assassinated a well-known comedian and musician who poked fun at Al-Qaeda linked Shebab insurgents in the Somali capital, police and colleagues said Tuesday, the latest in a string of attacks against media and cultural figures. Warsame Shire Awale, a famous composer who had worked with Somalia's national army band before joining Radio Kulmiye as a drama producer and comedian, was attacked by two gunmen late on Monday.“ (AFP, 30 October 2012)

 

„Mr Awale wrote and acted in radio plays critical of the militant group, al-Shabab, who he accused of misleading people in the name of Islam.“ (BBC, 30 October 2012)

 

„Militants hurled a grenade in a busy market in the Somali port city and former Islamist bastion of Kismayo, killing one and wounding at least four others, officials said Wednesday. […] No group immediately claimed responsibility for the blast, but the Al Qaeda-linked Shebab have launched a series of guerrilla attacks in recent months, even as they have been forced to pull out of a string of key towns. “(AFP, 31 October 2012)

 

NOVEMBER 2012

 

„Nearly 400 people have been arrested in a major security operation in the Somali port city of Kismayo, officials there have told the BBC. African Union troops, the Somali army and a pro-government militia gained control of the strategic port last month from al-Qaeda-aligned militants. A militia spokesman told the BBC those arrested were believed to be supporters of the Islamist al-Shabab group.“ (BBC, 1 November 2012)

 

„Two suicide bombers have blown themselves up trying to enter a restaurant in the Somali capital Mogadishu, killing at least one person. […] Such attacks are fairly common in the city, as are targeted assassinations, BBC Africa analyst Mary Harper reports. Some are carried out by the Islamist group al-Shabab, which controls much of the country. Others by different groups including private militias and criminal gangs.“ (BBC, 3 November 2012)

 

„Two suicide bombers in Mogadishu attacked a restaurant popular with former Somali exiles on Saturday, wounding several people, police said, and killing one victim, according to a witness.“ (AFP, 3 November 2012)

 

„A strong blast rocked Somalia's parliament Wednesday, with at least one person killed, an AFP reporter at the scene said. […] No group immediately claimed responsibility for the blast, but the Al-Qaeda linked Shebab insurgents have conducted a series of guerrilla style attacks in the capital since pulling out of fixed positions there last year.” (AFP, 7 November 2012)
 

“Somalia's Al-Qaeda-linked Shebab fighters briefly took control of a small town on the border with Kenya at the weekend, and they were blamed for two roadside bombs in one of their former bastions that killed five people. The Islamists seized Bulohawo in a battle that left at least 12 people dead, military officials and witnesses said Sunday. The assault took place on Saturday. Two roadside bomb attacks in the Somali port city and former Shebab stronghold of Kismayo killed at least five people on Sunday. At least four people died in an attack near a market where women sell khat, a mild stimulant very popular in Somalia. Another person was killed in a second attack. While there was no immediate claim of responsibility, they were nevertheless blamed on the Shebab Islamists.” (AFP, 28 November 2012)  
 

DECEMBER 2012

 
“After weeks of relative calm in Somalia, a convoy carrying three ministers has been attacked, while fierce fighting has erupted near the militant base of Jowhar, officials say. The ministers of defence, interior and justice were unharmed after a landmine exploded under a vehicle near the port of Merca, they say.” (BBC, 4 December 2012)
  
“A bomb blast and a shoot-out between Islamists and troops from the semi-autonomous Puntland region have left 31 people dead or wounded, officials say. Fighters from the al-Qaeda-linked al-Shabab group attacked a military base and planted a roadside bomb, the officials said. Al-Shabab fighters have reportedly moved to Puntland in recent months.” (BBC, 5 December 2012)
  
“Somali troops and African Union forces have captured the town of Jowhar from the Islamist militant group, al-Shabab, reports say.” (BBC, 9 December 2012) 
 
“At least one fan has been killed and 11 others wounded after unidentified assailants threw a hand grenade at a large building where Somali Football fans were watching last night’s Chelsea-Sunderland Premier League clash, government officials told the media Sunday morning. ‘This is the work of notorious Al-shabaab terrorists who are always against the peaceful football—they threw a hand grenade at the Cinema Mogadishu building killing one man and wounded 11 others, we are very sorry for what happened to the innocent football fans’ Wadajir district deputy commissioner Moalim Mahmoud Saneey told the media.” (Somali Football Federation, 10 December 2012)  

“A car bomb in the Somali capital killed three people and wounded several others in the latest attack in war-ravaged Mogadishu, police said Friday. […] No group immediately claimed responsibility for the explosion, but the Al-Qaeda linked Shebab insurgents have conducted a series of guerrilla style attacks in the capital since pulling out of fixed positions there last year.” (AFP, 14 December 2012) 
 

JANUARY 2013
 

“Islamist militants in Somalia have said a second French soldier was killed during a failed hostage rescue attempt.” (BBC, 14 January 2013)

 

“The Somali Islamist group al-Shabab says it has killed French intelligence agent Denis Allex in retaliation for a failed French operation to free him.” (BBC, 17 January 2013)

 

“African Union peacekeepers trying to dislodge Islamist rebels from Somalia's Lower Shabelle region shot dead at least seven civilians in a remote town, including five children who were studying the Koran, residents said on Thursday.” (Reuters, 17 January 2013)

 

“Two security guards have been killed in a suicide attack near the offices of Somalia's president and prime minister. […] Information Minister Abdullahi Hersi said the bomber, a former member of the Islamist militant group al-Shabab, had been an employee of the intelligence services until recently.” (BBC, 29 January 2013)
 

FEBRUARY 2013
 

“At least four people were killed Monday when a suicide bomber blew himself up in his car in an attack aimed at a senior police officer in Somalia's central Galkayo region, police said. […] The Shebab have claimed responsibility for most of the suicide attacks that have taken place in the past year.” (AFP, 11 February 2013)  
 

“Somali government troops and African Union forces seized the formerly Islamist-held town of Burhakaba on Wednesday, the latest loss for the Al-Qaeda linked Shebab fighters, commanders said.” (AFP, 27 February 2013)

 

“Suicide bombers killed a civilian at a beach front restaurant in the Somali capital on Friday, officials said, underscoring how fragile security remains 18 months after African troops drove Islamist militants out of the city. […] There was no immediate claim of responsibility but the al Shabaab rebel group has vowed to carry out guerrilla-style attacks against the new government, which is supported by Western powers and regional states.” (Reuters - AlertNet, 1 March 2013)
 
“At least ten people were killed Monday in a suicide car bomb in the Somali capital claimed by Islamist insurgents, in one of the bloodiest attacks in war-ravaged Mogadishu in recent months. […] Al-Qaeda-linked Shebab fighters boasted of the killings, saying they had targeted and wounded Mogadishu's intelligence chief Khalif Ereg.” (AFP, 18 March 2013)

 

“Since the August 2011 withdrawal of Al-Shabab insurgents from the Somali capital, Mogadishu, security has improved, allowing for the gradual resumption of government functions. But sporadic suicide attacks, conflict-related population displacement and socio-economic problems persist, exemplifying some of the daunting challenges still ahead.” (IRIN, 26 March 2013)
 

APRIL 2013
 

“African Union and Somali government forces have opened a key route after months of fighting, commanders said Tuesday, reaching the former Islamic stronghold of Baidoa by road for the first time. Troops from the 17,000-strong AU force have been battling for almost a year to open up the 240 kilometre (150 mile) stretch of road -- a former stronghold region of Somalia's Al-Qaeda linked Shebab -- running northwest from Mogadishu.” (AFP, 2 April 2013)

 

“Meanwhile, there has been an explosion in Mogadishu at the main office of Dahabshiil, one of the largest money transfer companies in Africa. […] It was not clear who was behind the explosion but the firm had threatened to close down its branches in areas held by al-Shabab” (BBC, 2 April 2013)

 

“The revival of Al Shabaab activity in Mogadishu and nearby regions is likely to continue. The British Foreign Office issued an advisory against travel to Somalia and in particular Mogadishu against a background of renewed reports of possible Al Shabaab threats in the capital. Risk management measures are already in place to address the existing terrorist threats and corresponding risk levels. A general advisory regarding kidnapping countrywide was also issued by NGOs. Necessary precautions are being taken.” (UNHCR, 7 April 2013)

 

“The withdrawal of Ethiopian National Defense Forces (ENDF) from Xudur, the regional capital of Bakool created a security vacuum in the districts. An estimated 2,500 individuals were displaced after the insurgent group Al-Shabaab quickly took control of the town.” (UNHCR, 8 April 2013)

 

“The military capability of the Al-Shabaab insurgents in Somalia has been tremendously degraded although they continue to carry out terrorist attacks. That's what the top United Nations envoy in the country, Augustine Mahiga, told reporters in the Tanzanian city of Dar Es Salaam on Thursday.” (UN Radio, 11 April 2013)

 

“The week’s activities were overshadowed by two terror incidents in Mogadishu (14 April), targeted at the Court house as well as a Turkish convoy moving between the Peace Hotel and Km4. Approximately 30 people were killed in the incidents as the Al Shabaab militants have reportedly vowed to continue similar attacks against the government, which they call a ‘Western Stooge’. […] In Bosasso, armed confrontation has been reported between Al-Shabaab militants in the Golis Mountains and Puntland Intelligence Agency (PIA) at Dhaadhabo area. Reports indicate that the intelligence agency was tipped off Al Shabaab movement in the area which prompted an offence from the PIA. Details of casualties are still unclear.” (UNHCR, 14 April 2013)

 

“On 14 April Al Shabaab claimed responsibility for the complex attack including multiple VBIEDs, PBIEDs and a hostage situation targeted at the High Court Complex next to the Banadir Regional Administration’s office in HamarWeyne district. Dozens of fatalities and casualties are reported, including the decease of two lawyers from local NGO SWDC, a former partner of UNHCR.” (UNHCR, 14 April 2013)

 

“Foreign fighters were involved in Sunday's bomb and gun attacks in Somalia's capital, Mogadishu, Prime Minister Abdi Farah Shirdon has said. At least 29 people died in the suicide bombings at the main courts and near the airport, he said. The al-Qaeda-linked al-Shabab group said it carried out the attacks.” (BBC, 14 April 2013)

 

“A nine-man suicide commando blasted its way into Mogadishu's main court complex Sunday, some blowing up their explosives vests while others sprayed gunfire in a rampage that left 29 civilians dead, while a separate bomb attack killed five more. The Al-Qaeda-linked Shebab militant group claimed responsibility for the courthouse attack, from which Somalia's chief justice escaped unharmed.” (AFP, 15 April 2013)

 

“The attacks claimed by the Islamist armed group al-Shabaab on the Mogadishu regional courthouse and on an aid workers’ convoy on April 14, 2013, were grave violations of the laws of war. At least four legal professionals were killed, including a judge and three lawyers.” (HRW, 16 April 2013) 

• -    AFP - Agence France-Presse: Islamist bomb attack toll in Somalia rises to 15: mayor, 9 February 2012
  http://reliefweb.int/node/475737
• -    AFP - Agence France-Presse: Somalia's Islamists to intensify bombing campaign, 18 February 2012
  http://reliefweb.int/node/477715
• -    AFP - Agence France-Presse: With Shebab rebels forced out, rebuilding begins in Baidoa, 5 March 2012
  http://reliefweb.int/node/480434
• -    AFP - Agence France-Presse: AU troops to replace Ethopian forces in key Somali cities, 9 March 2012
  http://reliefweb.int/node/482026
• -    AFP - Agence France-Presse: 'Many dead' in Somalia Islamist attacks on Ethiopian troops, 10 March 2012
  http://reliefweb.int/node/482069
• -    AFP - Agence France-Presse: Islamist rebels ousted from central Somali town, 20 March 2012
  http://reliefweb.int/node/484023
• -    AFP - Agence France-Presse: Somali Islamists kill two in Mogadishu mortar attack, 26 March 2012
  http://reliefweb.int/node/485386
• -    AFP - Agence France-Presse: Somali, African forces seize rebel bastion: AU mission, 30 March 2012
  http://reliefweb.int/node/486744
• -    AFP - Agence France-Presse: Market bombing kills 11 in key Somali town: lawmaker, 9 April 2012
  http://reliefweb.int/node/488660
• -    AFP - Agence France-Presse: Bombs rock Somalia, as brokers warn fragile progress at risk, 1 May 2012
  http://reliefweb.int/node/493665
• -    AFP - Agence France-Presse: AU, Somali troops attack Islamist stronghold of Afgoye, 22 May 2012
  http://reliefweb.int/node/498306
• -    AFP - Agence France-Presse: Somali, AU troops close in on Islamist stronghold of Afgoye, 23 May 2012
  http://reliefweb.int/node/498664
• -    AFP - Agence France-Presse: Islamists flee as AU, Somali troops seize rebel stronghold, 25 May 2012 (available at ReliefWeb)
  http://reliefweb.int/node/499307
• -    AFP - Agence France-Presse: Somali Islamists attack president as pressure grows, 29 May 2012 (available at ReliefWeb)
  http://reliefweb.int/node/499881
• -    AFP - Agence France-Presse: African Union troops enter southern Somali Islamist base, 30 May 2012 (available at ReliefWeb)
  http://reliefweb.int/node/500230
• -    AFP - Agence France-Presse: Somali forces capture rebel stronghold, 26 June 2012 (available at ReliefWeb)
  http://reliefweb.int/node/506348
• -    AFP - Agence France-Presse: Somalia's new president survives Shebab assassination bid, 12 September 2012 (available at ReliefWeb)
  http://reliefweb.int/report/somalia/somalias-new-president-survives-shebab-assassination-bid
• -    AFP - Agence France-Presse: Civilians at risk in battle for Somali rebel bastion: UN, US, 19 September 2012 (available at ReliefWeb)
  http://reliefweb.int/report/somalia/civilians-risk-battle-somali-rebel-bastion-un-us
• -    AFP - Agence France-Presse: Somali Shebab supporters kill 14 in double suicide attack, 20 September 2012 (available at ReliefWeb)
  http://reliefweb.int/report/somalia/somali-shebab-supporters-kill-14-double-suicide-attack
• -    AFP - Agence France-Presse: Kenyan soldier kills six Civilians in Somalia, 24 September 2012 (available at ReliefWeb)
  http://reliefweb.int/report/somalia/kenyan-soldier-kills-six-presumed-civilians-somalia
• -    AFP - Agence France-Presse: African troops assault last Somali rebel stronghold, 28 September 2012 (available at ReliefWeb)
  http://reliefweb.int/report/somalia/african-troops-assault-last-somali-rebel-stronghold
• -    AFP - Agence France-Presse: Six civilians killed in Somalia fighting: witnesses, 25 October 2012 (veröffentlicht von ReliefWeb)
  http://reliefweb.int/report/somalia/six-civilians-killed-somalia-fighting-witnesses
• -    AFP - Agence France-Presse: Somali comedian who poked fun at Islamists shot dead, 30 October 2012 (veröffentlicht von ReliefWeb)
  http://reliefweb.int/report/somalia/somali-comedian-who-poked-fun-islamists-shot-dead
• -    AFP - Agence France-Presse: Grenade attack kills one in Somali port, 31 October 2012 (veröffentlicht von ReliefWeb)
  http://reliefweb.int/report/somalia/grenade-attack-kills-one-somali-port
• -    AFP - Agence France-Presse: Two suicide bombers attack restaurant in Somali capital, 3 November 2012 (veröffentlicht von ReliefWeb)
  http://reliefweb.int/report/somalia/two-suicide-bombers-attack-restaurant-somali-capital
• -    AFP - Agence France-Presse: Strong blast outside Somali parliament, one dead: AFP, 7 November 2012 (published by ReliefWeb)
  http://reliefweb.int/report/somalia/strong-blast-outside-somali-parliament-one-dead-afp
• -    AFP - Agence France-Presse: 12 dead as Somalia Shebab attack town on Kenya border, 28 November 2012 (published by ReliefWeb)
  http://reliefweb.int/report/somalia/12-dead-somalia-shebab-attack-town-kenya-border
• -    AFP - Agence France-Presse: Three killed in Somali capital car bomb: police, 14 December 2012 (published by ReliefWeb)
  http://reliefweb.int/report/somalia/three-killed-somali-capital-car-bomb-police
• -    AFP - Agence France-Presse: Suicide bomber kills four in central Somalia: police, 11 February 2013 (published by ReliefWeb)
  http://reliefweb.int/report/somalia/suicide-bomber-kills-four-central-somalia-police
• -    AFP - Agence France-Presse: African Union, Somali troops capture Islamist-held town, 27 February 2013 (published by ReliefWeb)
  http://reliefweb.int/report/somalia/african-union-somali-troops-capture-islamist-held-town-0
• -    AFP - Agence France-Presse: Somali car bomb attack kills ten, 18 March 2013 (published by ReliefWeb)
  http://reliefweb.int/report/somalia/somali-car-bomb-attack-kills-ten
• -    AFP - Agence France-Presse: African Union, Somali troops open key road seized from Islamists, 2 April 2013 (published by ReliefWeb)
  http://reliefweb.int/report/somalia/african-union-somali-troops-open-key-road-seized-islamists
• -    AFP - Agence France-Presse: Suicide raid, car bomb kill 34 civilians in Mogadishu, 15 April 2013 (published by ReliefWeb)
  http://reliefweb.int/report/somalia/suicide-raid-car-bomb-kill-34-civilians-mogadishu
• -    AI – Amnesty International: In the line of fire: Somalia's children under attack [AFR 52/001/2011], 20 July 2011
  http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/asset/AFR52/001/2011/en/2b90b425-0742-4c83-87f0-e8fd0b6baa51/afr520012011en.pdf
• -    AI – Amnesty International: Clans, Warlords und Rebellen, Dezember 2011
  http://www.amnesty.de/journal/2011/dezember/clans-warlords-und-rebellen
• -    AI – Amnesty International: Amnesty International Report 2012 - The State of the World's Human Rights, 24 May 2012
  http://www.amnesty.org/en/region/somalia/report-2012
• -    AI - Amnesty International: Somalia must end impunity for killing of media workers, 13 August 2012
  http://www.amnesty.org/en/news/somalia-must-end-impunity-killing-media-workers-2012-08-13
• -    BBC World News: Somalia's al-Shabab lose 'key town' to Kenya troops, 2 February 2012
  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-16853688
• -    BBC World News: Somalia's al-Shabab join al-Qaeda, 10 February 2012
  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-16979440
• -    BBC World News: Fresh Somalia fighting forces thousands to flee, 15 February 2012
  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-17048223
• -    BBC World News: Somalia al-Shabab militant base of Baidoa captured, 22 February 2012
  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-17127353
• -    BBC World News: Somalia's al-Shabab launches surprise Garbaharey raid, 1 March 2012
  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-17218175
• -    BBC World News: Somalia Islamists al-Shabab ambush Ethiopia troops, 10 March 2012
  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-17324635
• -    BBC World News: Somalia: Suicide bomber targets presidential palace, 14 March 2012
  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-17364680
• -    BBC World News: Somali refugees killed by Mogadishu mortars, 19 March 2012
  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-17429146
• -    BBC World News: Al-Shabab forces lose Somali base of El Bur, 26 March 2012
  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-17516440
• -    BBC World News: Somalia theatre bombing kills top sports officials, 4 April 2012
  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-17609047
• -    BBC World News: Market bombing in central Somalia kills 12, 9 April 2012
  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-17658522
• -    BBC World News: Somalia's al-Shabab Islamists move north into Puntland, 11 April 2012
  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-17674996
• -    BBC World News: Somalis flee Afgoye advance by African Union troops, 23 May 2012
  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-18173359
• -    BBC News: Somalia forces capture key al-Shabab town of Afmadow, 31 May 2012
  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-18288639
• -    BBC News: Somali unrest: Suicide attack in Afgoye town, 16 June 2012
  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-18472600
• -    BBC News: Somali al-Shabab training base Lanta-Buro 'captured', 11 July 2012
  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-18800452
• -    BBC News: Marshale: Famous Somali comedian shot dead in Mogadishu, 1 August 2012
  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-19075678
• -    BBC News: Somalia's al-Shabab loses control of Merca port to army, 27 August 2012
  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-19391321
• -    BBC News: Kenya's navy shells Kismayo in Somalia, 4 September 2012
  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-19478434
• -    BBC News: Al-Shabab 'leaving Somali town', 18 September 2012
  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-19631474
• -    BBC News: Somalia suicide bombing hits Mogadishu - 14 killed, 20 September 2012
  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-19667084
• -    BBC News: Somali MP shot dead in Mogadishu, 22 September 2012
  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-19690209
• -    BBC News: Somalia al-Shabab armoury 'destroyed in Kismayo', 26 September 2012
  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-19726515
• -    BBC News: Somalia Islamists abandon Kismayo amid AU attack, 29 September 2012
  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-19769058
• -    BBC News: Somali and African Union troops enter Kismayo, 1 October 2012
  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-19785316
• -    BBC News: Kismayo rocked by blast as Somali troops take control, 2 October 2012
  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-19803350
• -    BBC News: AU and Somali troops secure town of Wanla Weyn, 7 October 2012
  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-19861789
• -    BBC News: Somalia's al-Shabab militants ban Islamic Relief aid, 8 October 2012
  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-19873932
• -    BBC News: Somaliland journalist Ahmed Farah Ilyas killed, 24 October 2012
  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-20066670
• -    BBC News: Somalia's General Farah killed in al-Shabab ambush, 29 October 2012
  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-20120897
• -    BBC News: Somali poet Warsame Shire Awale killed by gunmen, 30 October 2012
  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-20135824
• -    BBC News: Somalia: Mass Kismayo arrests of 'Islamist supporters', 1 November 2012
  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-20171429
• -    BBC News: Somalia: Mogadishu suicide bombers attack restaurant, 3 November 2012
  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-20191673
• -    BBC News: 'Al-Shabab' ambush ministers and defend Jowhar, 4 December 2012
  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-20591771
• -    BBC News: Somalia's al-Shabab targets Puntland military, 5 December 2012
  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-20614050
• -    BBC News: Somalia: 'Al-Shabab' militants forced out of Jowhar, 9 December 2012
  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-20658236
• -    BBC News: Second French soldier dies after Somalia raid - rebels, 14 January 2013
  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-21009364
• -    BBC News: Denis Allex: French agent 'killed' by Somalia al-Shabab, 17 January 2013
  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-21056592
• -    BBC News: Suicide blast by offices of Somalia president and PM, 29 January 2013
  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-21241751
• -    BBC News: Somalia: Mogadishu to Baidoa road 'reopened', 2 April 2013
  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-22009749
• -    BBC News: Somali bombings 'kill at least 30', 15 April 2013
  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-22153911
• -    CSIS - Center for Strategic and International Studies: Al Shabaab, 15 July 2011
  http://csis.org/files/publication/110715_Wise_AlShabaab_AQAM%20Futures%20Case%20Study_WEB.pdf
• -    DIS - Danish Immigration Service: Security and human rights issues in South-Central Somalia, including Mogadishu; Report from Danish Immigration Service’s fact finding mission to Nairobi, Kenya and Mogadishu, Somalia; 30 January to 19 February 2012, April 2012
  http://www.nyidanmark.dk/NR/rdonlyres/90821397-6911-4CEF-A8D0-6B8647021EF2/0/Security_human_rights_issues_South_CentralSomalia_including_Mogadishu.pdf
• -    HRW - Human Rights Watch: Harsh War, Harsh Peace, 19 April 2010 (available at ecoi.net)
  http://www.ecoi.net/file_upload/1226_1271754222_somalia0410webwcover.pdf
• -    HRW - Human Rights Watch: World Report 2013 - Somalia, 31 January 2013 (available at ecoi.net)
  https://www.ecoi.net/local_link/237034/346030_en.html
• -    HRW - Human Rights Watch: Somalia: New Al-Shabaab Attacks are War Crimes, 16 April 2013
  http://www.hrw.org/news/2013/04/16/somalia-new-al-shabaab-attacks-are-war-crimes
• -    IRIN - Integrated Regional Information Network: UN condemns Al-Shabab's ban on ICRC, 31 January 2012 (available at ecoi.net)
  http://www.ecoi.net/local_link/209722/329806_de.html
• -    IRIN - Integrated Regional Information Network: Thousands flee to Mogadishu after Afgoye fighting, 28 February 2012 (available at ecoi.net)
  http://www.ecoi.net/local_link/211035/316910_en.html
• -    IRIN - Integrated Regional Information Network: SOMALIA: Thousands displaced by fighting in Gedo, 15 March 2012 (available at ecoi.net)
  http://www.ecoi.net/local_link/212013/318029_en.html
• -    IRIN - Integrated Regional Information Network: SOMALIA: Fighting displaces thousands in Middle Shabelle, 5 July 2012 (available at ecoi.net)
  http://www.ecoi.net/local_link/221336/342813_de.html
• -    IRIN - Integrated Regional Information Network: One million return to Mogadishu, 17 July 2012 (available at ecoi.net)
  https://www.ecoi.net/local_link/222081/329470_de.html
• -    IRIN - Integrated Regional Information Network: Kismayo feels the heat ahead of AMISOM assault, 6 September 2012 (available at ecoi.net)
  http://www.ecoi.net/local_link/226487/348290_de.html
• -    IRIN - Integrated Regional Information Network: Landmine danger persists in Somalia, 01 February 2013 (available at ecoi.net)
  https://www.ecoi.net/local_link/237333/346351_en.html
• -    IRIN - Integrated Regional Information Network: Briefing: In Somalia, relative peace belies rocky road ahead, 26 March 2013 (available at ecoi.net)
  http://www.ecoi.net/local_link/242968/352618_en.html
• -    KAS - Konrad Adenauer Stiftung: Die somalischen Shabaab- Milizen und ihre jihadistischen Netzwerke im Westen, 11 August 2011
  http://www.kas.de/wf/doc/kas_23599-544-1-30.pdf?110812133901
• -    Reuters – Alert net: Kenya says hits rebel convoy with helicopter gunships, 4 February 2012
  http://www.trust.org/alertnet/news/kenya-says-hits-rebel-convoy-with-helicopter-gunships/
• -    Reuters – Alert net: AU forces capture rebel strongholds near Somali capital, 14 February 2011
  http://www.trust.org/alertnet/news/au-forces-capture-rebel-strongholds-near-somali-capital/
• -    Reuters – Alert net: Rebel, army clashes kill nine in Somalia's Puntland, 3 March 2012
  http://www.trust.org/alertnet/news/rebel-army-clashes-kill-nine-in-somalias-puntland/
• -    Reuters – Alert net: Car bomb rocks Somali capital, al Shabaab says responsible, 21 March 2012
  http://www.trust.org/alertnet/news/car-bomb-rocks-somali-capital-al-shabaab-says-responsible/
• -    Reuters: Peacekeepers kill 5 children in Somali town - residents, 17 January 2013
  http://www.trust.org/alertnet/news/peacekeepers-kill-5-children-in-somali-town-residents/
• -    Reuters - AlertNet: Suicide bombs kill civilian at Somali beach restaurant, 1 March 2013 (published by ReliefWeb)
  http://reliefweb.int/report/somalia/suicide-bombs-kill-civilian-somali-beach-restaurant
• -    RFE/RL - Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty: Somali Sports Officials Killed In National Theater Blast, 4 April 2012 (available at ecoi.net)
  http://www.ecoi.net/local_link/213110/319273_en.html
• -    RSF - Reporters Sans Frontières: Radio journalist gunned down in central city, 5 April 2012 (available at ecoi.net)
  http://www.ecoi.net/local_link/213301/319497_en.html
• -    RSF - Reporters Sans Frontières: Somalia - Two more journalists killed, one beheaded, one shot, 28 September 2012 (available at ecoi.net)
  http://www.ecoi.net/local_link/228021/350103_de.html
• -    Somali Football Federation: Grenade attack kills football fan, wounds 11 others in Somali capital, 10 December 2012 (published by ReliefWeb)
  http://reliefweb.int/report/somalia/grenade-attack-kills-football-fan-wounds-11-others-somali-capital
• -    The Guardian: Somali radio journalist murdered, 1 March 2012
  http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/greenslade/2012/mar/01/journalist-safety-somalia
• -    UN Radio: Military capability of Al-Shabaab insurgents degraded in Somalia: UN envoy, 11 April 2013 (published by ReliefWeb)
  http://reliefweb.int/report/somalia/military-capability-al-shabaab-insurgents-degraded-somalia-un-envoy
• -    UNGA – UN General Assembly: Children and armed conflict; Report of the Secretary-General [A/65/820–S/2011/250], 23 April 2011 (available at ecoi.net)
  http://www.ecoi.net/file_upload/1930_1324407552_s2011250.pdf
• -    UNHCR - UN High Commissioner for Refugees: UNHCR Somalia Operational Highlights; 1st - 7th April 2013, 7 April 2013
  http://www.ecoi.net/file_upload/1930_1366197030_unhcr-20somalia-20operational-20highlights-201-20to-207-20april.pdf
• -    UNHCR - UN High Commissioner for Refugees: Xudur Displacement; 8 April, 2013, 8 April 2013
  http://www.ecoi.net/file_upload/1930_1366199334_xudurflashreport.pdf
• -    UNHCR - UN High Commissioner for Refugees: UNHCR Somalia Operational Highlights; 8-14 April 2013, 14 April 2013
  http://www.ecoi.net/file_upload/1930_1366207679_operational-20highlights-208-14-20april-201.pdf
• -    UNHCR - UN High Commissioner for Refugees: UNHCR Somalia Mogadishu Operational Highlights; 8 - 14 April 2013, 14 April 2013
  http://www.ecoi.net/file_upload/1930_1366207224_mogadishu-20operational-20highlights-208-14-20april-202013-201.pdf
• -    UNSC - UN Security Council: Report of the Secretary-General on Somalia [S/2013/69], 31 January 2013 (available at ecoi.net) http://www.ecoi.net/file_upload/1226_1360766729_n1321515somalia.pdf
• -    USDOS - US Department of State: Country Report on Terrorism 2010 - Chapter 2 - Somalia, 18 August 2011 (available at ecoi.net)
  http://www.ecoi.net/local_link/201271/305983_en.html
• -    USDOS – US Department of State: Country Report on Human Rights Practices for 2011 – Somalia, 24 May 2012 (available at ecoi.net)
  http://www.ecoi.net/local_link/217680/338444_de.html
• -    USDOS - US Department of State: 2011 International Religious Freedom Report - Somalia, 30 July 2012 (available at ecoi.net)
  https://www.ecoi.net/local_link/223472/331000_de.html
• -    USDOS - US Department of State: Country Report on Terrorism 2011 - Chapter 2 - Somalia, 31 July 2012 (available at ecoi.net)
  https://www.ecoi.net/local_link/224679/332264_de.html
• -    USDOS - US Department of State: Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2012 - Somalia, 19 April 2013 (available at ecoi.net)
  http://www.ecoi.net/local_link/245108/368554_de.html
• -    VOA – Voice of America: Somalia, AU Troops Capture al-Shabab Stronghold, 2 March 2012
  http://reliefweb.int/node/480359
• -    VOA - Voice of America: AU troops recover stolen relief food, 13 July 2012
  http://reliefweb.int/report/somalia/au-troops-recover-stolen-relief-food