Muslim terrorists Al Shabaab continue to advance and recruit in Somalia

Muslim terrorists who are part of al-Shabaab moved across provinces in the northwest portion of Somalia as government forces withdrew. Hundreds of militants moved to seize towns, like Wanlaweyn, warning the residents to not support the government and AMISOM forces and join their jihadist mission.

“The al-Shabaab officials went to several mosques and spoke to the people who were attending taraweeh prayers at that time, telling them to support them rather than the government… later on they left and we don’t know where they have gone,’’ a resident is quoted as saying to Horseed Media.

Somali army offcials have not commented on the reasons behind their withdrawal from Wanlaweyn district, which has now left the al-Shabaab militants in control of at least three districts in the region – Awdheegle, Tora-toro and Mubara.

Somalia map – CIA source

“In the past few weeks, the al-Qaeda-linked militant group has been making substantial advances in the lower Shebelle region,” the article notes. “The al-Qaeda-linked extremists remain dangerous, unpredictable and bold, known for audacious and chilling attacks. Their fighters routinely target the Somali government in Mogadishu. The group has also sought to terrorize neighboring Kenya.”

Last summer, al-Shabaab made headlines with their murders in Kenya, at least 50 died in one attack, which led to the United Nations warning of the group’s growth and the risk to the region.

“Al-Shabaab continues to benefit from the revenue generated, on a scale greater than when it controlled Kismayu, at charcoal production sites, from checkpoints along trucking routes and from exports, in particular at Kismayu and Barawe, all of which to date have been uninterrupted by the military offensive against the group,” the UN monitors stated in October, giving an overview of how the group is financed.