Homeland Security

1

The Al-Shabab Terrorist Group

1. Introduction

Protecting America from terrorist attacks is one of the fundamental roles of the country's

security agencies. Homeland Security is responsible for protecting the nation from any external

and internal security threats (McEntire, 2018). This organization counters terrorist groups,

cybercrimes and promotes America's border security, among other roles. The Al-Shabab terrorist

group is among the greatest threats to America's security. Al-Shabab is a rebellious Islamist

organization established in Somalia (Chigudu, 2021). The terrorist group was once in control of

Mogadishu and several regions in Somalia (Chigudu, 2021). However, after the launching A.U.

military campaign in the area, Al-Shabab's influence in Somalia reduced significantly. Despite

the AMISOM suppression of the militia group, Al-Shabab remains a security threat to many

nations in Africa and Western countries (Chigudu, 2021). According to intelligence information,

Al-Shabab is linked to al-Qaeda, a terrorist group accountable for the 9/11 attack that killed and

maimed numerous Americans (Chigudu, 2021). This paper discusses Al-Shabab's organizational

structure, the terrorist group′s ideology, goals and objectives, leadership, funding, and terrorism

capabilities. It will also discuss Al-Shabab's hypothetical terrorist attack on U.S Homeland.

2. Al-Shabab's Organizational Assessment

2. 1. How the Group Took Shape

Somalia's political instability is among the reasons the Al-Shabab terrorist group thrived.

According to research, al-Ittihad al-Islami (AIAI), also known as the Unity of Islam, was the

forerunner and the incubator of Al-Shabab. AIAI was picked in the early 1990s after the former

Somali Said Barre (Felter et al., 2021). AIAI comprised of schooled Somali extremists funded

2

and armed by the former Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden. AIAI split following a

disagreement with its younger members, who sought to create an Islamist state in Somalia (Felter

et al., 2021). The youth militia joined hands with Islamic Court Union (ICU), taking control of

Mogadishu in 2006 (Felter et al., 2021). For fear of a Jihadist attack, Ethiopia, a nation

dominated by Christians, invaded Somalia, and ousted members of the Islamic Court Union from

the country's capital (Felter et al., 2021). With the overpowering of the ICU, Al-Shabab moved

to the southern part of Somalia and morphed into a terrorist organization organizing guerrilla

assaults and bombings in the region. According to counterterrorism experts, the entry of

Ethiopian forces in Somalia caused Al-Shabab to become the insurgency group it is today. In

March 2010, the United Kingdom proscribed Al-Shabab as an international terror group (Gov.

Uk, 2020).

2.2. Al-Shabab's Leadership

Currently, Ahmed Umar, also called Abu Obadiah, leads the militia group (Zakarie &

Hared, 2021). Umar was given the leadership mantle after Ahmed Abdi Godane, who was killed

by the 2014 drone strike by the American forces (Zakarie & Hared, 2021). Intelligence experts

thought that Godane's death would weaken the organization; however, its leadership structure

has seen the terrorist group remain united due to its flexible chain of command. Al-Shabab has

several cells, divisions, and units under specific leaders (Zakarie & Hared, 2021). Furthermore,

the insurgent group has a clear leadership hierarchy that enables a smooth flow in the chain of

command. Its topmost leader is called Amir and is helped by a ten-member body. The Amir and

the council members are responsible for deciding Al-Shabab's significant activities.

Junior Amirs oversee minor divisions and cells. They oversee the group's political,

military, and media issues. The military division is the militia's critical section. It is divided into

3

two subdivisions: the army of hardship and suffering and the social-economic branch. According

to intelligence reports, Amniyat is the militia's intelligence division (Felter et al., 2021). This

department gathers information about areas to attack and is responsible for the group's high

profile attacks. Hussein Sheikh, Somali's former security advisor, pointed out that if the Amniyat

were destroyed, such a move would mark the end of the group (Felter et al., 2021).

Furthermore, some regional leaders oversee the group's political interests. These leaders

are allowed to pursue their personal goals. Al-Shabab can conduct criminal activities anywhere

in East Africa and beyond the region (Shuriye, 2012). Also, the terror group's robust leadership

structure enables the militia to reduce internal conflicts and ensure continuity of operation even

in case senior leaders die.

2.3 Al-Shabab's Ideology

Religious rigidity and the narrow interpretation of Islamic teachings and doctrines are the

basis of Al-Shabab's ideology. Al-Shabab's goal is to establish an Islamic state, drive foreigners

outside Somalia, and implement Sharia decrees. Most Somalis support these notions. However,

the militia group's methodology for implementing this agenda is the primary challenge and the

cause of uproars. Al-Shabab's association with other international terrorist groups and their joint

training and operations in the Horn of Africa shows that their primary agenda is causing mayhem

and killing innocent people in the name of promoting Islamic teachings (Shuriye, 2012).

Presently, Al-Shabab is known globally as an insurgent group with the intentions of taking over

Somali's leadership, control neighbouring countries, and wage jihad against Western nations and

nations they perceive as enemies of Islam (Shuriye, 2012).

4

According to research, Al-Shabab's ideology of creating an Islamic state is not limited to

Somalia. The militia group plans to spread this political ideology to neighbouring countries and

move to Central and South Africa. Moreover, the training its followers undergo is focused on

this agenda (Shuriye, 2012). These leaders have been quoted on their media platforms stating

that once they are done freeing Somalia from the chains of Christianity, their next mission would

be to resurrect a global caliphate. Furthermore, Omar Hammami, the militia group's commander

in the U.S, stated that Al-Shabab's goals are global (Shuriye, 2012).

2.4. Al-Shabab's Goals and Objectives

Several analysts point out that Al-Shabab has numerous factions that pursue different

goals. However, Al-Shabab's goals and objectives are closely tied to the group's ideology. This

militia's first agenda is to take over Somalia's leadership (Shuriye, 2012). According to an

intelligence report, Al-Shabab causes political instability in the country, intending to overthrow

the government (Shuriye, 2012). Before the formation of the transitional government, Al-Shabab

used its terrorist networks in the country to cause chaos and kill innocent citizens who failed to

pay taxes to the group (Haque, 2021). The group operates a parallel system of government where

they tax businesses and individuals and run illegal sugar and charcoal businesses to finance their

operations (Shuriye, 2012).

According to Haque (2021), Al-Shabab is opposed to a government supported by

Western nations. The group alleges that Westernization is the root cause of declined adherence to

Islamic teachings of Sharia law. Al-Shabab's strong advocacy for Sharia laws has seen the militia

group ban certain entertainments in regions it controls (Shuriye, 2012). For instance, individuals

living in the areas controlled by Al-Shabab are not allowed to watch movies, chew khat, smoke

or shave beards because these acts are against Sharia law. Al-Shabab's push for an Islamic state

5

has seen the organization stone and amputate individuals suspected of breaking their laws

(Shuriye, 2012). Moreover, the group's objective to prevent Western interaction with the country

blocks humanitarian organizations that offer foreign aid to Somalis.

2.5. Al-Shabab's Sources of Funds

Studies reveal that Al-Shabab has several sources of funding. According to

counterterrorism experts, this militia group obtains its funds from piracy, kidnappings, taxation

of local businesses, farmers, and aid groups. Al-Shabab has an established taxation unit called

Zakawat that assess enterprises operating in the areas the militia controls and determines the

amount of tax they would pay (Mugabi, 2021). An intelligence expert in Somalia alleged that in

2014, the militia group raised $ 9.5 million from taxing farmers (Action on Armed Violence,

2017). Moreover, aid agency leaders in Somalia claim that they pay about $10,000 to distribute

food to people living in Al-Shabab controlled areas (Action on Armed Violence, 2017).

Also, terrorist groups such as Al-Qaeda are suspected of offering funds to Al-Shabab.

Governments have also faced accusations for aiding operations of the militia group. For

example, the Eritrean government faced similar accusations (Action on Armed Violence, 2017).

Al-Shabab's charcoal business is another reliable source of the militia's funds. Despite the U. N’s

ban on the export of Somali charcoal to cut down Al-Shabab's sources of income, the business

continues to thrive, generating millions of dollars for the group. Al-Shabab also smuggles

contraband sugar into Kenya to generate more revenue. The Kenyan military has been accused of

partaking in illegal business (Shuriye, 2012).

Like other terrorist organizations, Al-Shabab is said to be raising some of its funds from

drug dealing. Studies reveal that Al-Shabab re-sales heroine brought from Asia to drug users and

6

dealers in Nigeria. Other sources of funding for the militia group include the telecom market,

illicit mining, and poaching. The insurgent group has numerous sources of funds that facilitate its

activities. According to a U.N report on international terrorist organizations released in 2019, Al-

Shabab spends close to $21 million on weapons, intelligence, and fighters (Gov.UK, 2020). This

budget shows that Al-Shabab can access lethal weapons and finance its criminal activities.

3. Al-Shabab's Terrorism Capabilities

Al-Shabab's terrorism capabilities reduced significantly when AMISOM soldiers were

deployed in Somalia to destroy the militia group. However, the group's organizational structure

has ensured its sustained existence. When the military was deployed in areas initially occupied

by Al-Shabab, the group treat from the city of Mogadishu and to other regions (Gov.UK, 2020).

With the presence of regional leaders, Al-Shabab continues to contact criminal activities,

although on a reduced scale and frequency. Moreover, the regional leaders have more control of

their divisions and areas. However, the central command and the group's unity have been

weakened, resulting in losing coherence. The Amniyat now plays the pivotal role of maintaining

the group's coherence despite the extensive decentralization. For instance, militiamen who

attempt to dissent are brutally punished or killed. Such mistreatments compel members to remain

respectful to the commanders and commit criminal activities.

According to an American Congressional Research Service in the region, Al-Shabab still

can conduct attacks in Somalia and beyond. A.Q. report by the DoS released in April 2020

revealed that Al-Shabab could not amass large forces but retains its economic impact at the

village level (Gov.UK, 2020). The report further pointed out that the militia will continue

destabilizing Somalia and the East African region through IED and targeted assassinations

(Gov.UK, 2020). Another report showed that the operations of Al-Shabab, such as radicalization

7

and recruitment of young people to the organization, have significantly reduced due to Covid-19

(Gov.UK, 2020). The restrictions on free movement and the reduced number of persons in public

places, which are the critical targets for the group, have cause terrorist attacks emanating from

these criminals to reduce significantly. Also, the movement of some Al-Shabab fighters back to

Mogadishu implies that the ambushes on the militia group members outside the city are bearing

fruit (Gov.UK, 2020). The U.S airstrikes and AMISOM forces are regarded as significant players

in limiting the terrorist capabilities of the Al-Shabab.

3.1. Weapons Used by Al-Shabab

Al-Shabab uses various lethal weapons to commit terror. In most of their attacks, Al-

Shabab uses grenades, bombs, firearms, and improvised explosive devices to harm people and

destroy property (Afriyie & Arkorful, 2021). For instance, during a disputed election, the group

used firearms with live bullets to shoot and kill innocent civilians in Somalia. In Kenya, Al-

Shabab used firearms during the Westgate attack and the attack at an institution of higher

learning where hundreds lost their lives (Gov.UK, 2020). This group also plants IEDs on paths to

kill people riding on vehicles once they stumble on the devices. The group also used bombs in

one of Somalia's deadliest terrorist attacks, where more than 500 people died, with several others

sustaining injuries (Gov.UK, 2020).

4. Eminent Attack on Homeland Security by Al-Shabab

Al-Shabab can launch an attack on Homeland Security. The attack may come due to the

U.S involvement in restoring peace and stability in Somalia. Moreover, this group targets East

African nations. It aims to convert as many nations as possible into Islamic states and destroy

nations it perceives as a hindrance to its goals. Al-Shabab has an intelligence group comprising

8

highly educated Muslims (Gov.UK, 2020). Some of these individuals may come to America for

various reasons, including pursuing education. Once in the country, the Amniyat will research

the operations of Homeland Security. They will use their network to share information about the

weaknesses of Homeland Security since every organization, no matter its structure and influence

has some flaws.

The Amniyat may befriend some of the officers at Homeland or the friends of the

security personnel to gather intelligence about the operations of Homeland. Once such

information is known, the group's suicide bombers, through their international networks, would

access any of the Homeland Security facilities that have security failures and launch an attack.

Additionally, the Al-Shabab militia is ready to die for their course, unlike Homeland security

personnel who are on duty to protect the nation but may be unwilling to lose their lives battling

rascals like the Al-Shabab (Gov.UK, 2020). This difference may work as an advantage for the

Al-Shabab to forceful gain access into the organization's facilities and execute their terrorist

activity. Moreover, America's security systems are more focused on protecting other nations.

This aspect may lead to a security lapse at home, granting the Al-Shabab a chance to cause

mayhem.

5. Conclusion

Homeland Security performs an essential role in protecting the country against attacks,

especially from terrorist groups. However, the changing tactics used by these groups to kill,

injure, and destroy people's lives and property are becoming more sophisticated. Moreover,

terrorist organizations such as the Al-Shabab have established robust organizational structures

that allow them to gather intelligence and make deadly attacks. Furthermore, terrorist groups

have extensive sources of funding that include illegal business and drug dealings that allows the

9

terrorist organizations to purchase weapons and finance their operations. Therefore, security

departments around the globe should be vigilant to ensure these groups are prevented from

causing harm to innocent people and destabilizing nations.

10

References

Afriyie, F. A., & Arkorful, V. E. (2021). Terror at the Doorstep: The Rising Threat of Al Sunnah

wa Jama'ah (ASWJ) Jihadist Insurgency in Mozambique. IUP Journal of International

Relations, 15(1), 23-40.

Action on Armed Violence. (2017). Sources of funding (including self-funding) for the major

groupings that perpetrate IED incidents – al Shabaab. https://aoav.org.uk/2017/sources-

funding-including-self-funding-major-groupings-perpetrate-ied-incidents-al-shabaab/

Chigudu, D. (2021). Al-Shabab and fundamental terrorism in Somalia: Threats to the continent

and beyond. International Journal of Research in Business and Social Science (2147-

4478), 10(3), 412-418.

Felter, C., Masters, J., & Sergie, M. A. (2021). Al-Shabab. https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/al-

shabab

Gov.UK. (2020). Country Policy and Information Note Somalia: Al Shabaab.

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_

data/file/933800/Somalia-_Al_Shabaab_-_CPIN_-_V3.0e.pdf

Haque, A. K. M. (2021). Terrorism and jihad in the light of the Quran and the Sunnah in global

peace and security perspective (Doctoral dissertation, University of Dhaka).

McEntire, D. A. (2018). Introduction to homeland security: understanding terrorism prevention

and emergency management. John Wiley & Sons.

11

Mugabi, B. (2021). Al-Shabaab terror activities: a threat to regional & international

security. Asia and Africa Today, (4), 66-71.

Shuriye, A. O. (2012). Al-Shabaab's Leadership Hierarchy and its Ideology. Academic Research

International, 2(1), 1-12.

Zakarie, A. B. D. I., & Hared, T. A. A. (2021). Understanding Somali Conflict: Causes,

Consequences and Strategies for Peace-Building.