A rare article on defection from Al-Shabab and by a SME on the topic. A sample sentence:
Link:https://edition.cnn.com/2018/05/03/opinions/somalia-lost-boys-opinion-horgan/index.html
If you believe...
Type: Posts; User: davidbfpo; Keyword(s):
When terrorists defect
A rare article on defection from Al-Shabab and by a SME on the topic. A sample sentence:
Link:https://edition.cnn.com/2018/05/03/opinions/somalia-lost-boys-opinion-horgan/index.html
If you believe...
An effective Somali Natioan Army:no, not yet, just dire
Hat tip to WoTR for this article, with plenty of links.
Link:https://warontherocks.com/2019/05/what-went-wrong-with-the-somali-national-army/
Assessing Challenges to AMISOM’s Exit
Hat tip to a SWJ item and this optimistic comment. I note AMISOM has been in place since 2007 and is due to leave in 2021; is it me, but the Somali nation-state seems unchanged in either the will or...
Why Al-Shabaab survives in Somalia
A topical commentary on Al-Shabaab in Somalia, two good maps of activity in 2017 and 2018. This comment explains why they retain popular support:...
The Legacy of Blackhawk Down
Mark Bowden has returned to Somalia and has this commentary. The sub-title gives a hint:
Link:https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/legacy-black-hawk-down-180971000/#peKSSWtWd1WWQI8Y.99
AL-Shabab’s Military Machine
This paper was produced by the Hiraal Institute, which is based in Somalia and has had recommendations by a "lurker". I noted these two sentences:...
Somalia piracy: How foreign powers are tackling it
From the BBC after a week with the Spanish Navy off Somalia and the graph is the best illustration.
Somewhat odd to read about the local efforts, presumably externally funded:
...
‘What to do, and what not to do’
A short commentary on the situation, leaving aside it is written as a comment on the UK's role; hence the sub-title: Challenges facing Theresa May’s engagement in the fight against Al Shabaab.
He...
AMISOM’s Hard-Earned Lessons in Somalia
Recommended by a Forum member and on a very quick read some good points I can see from my armchair:
Link:https://africacenter.org/spotlight/amisom-hard-earned-lessons-somalia/
Al-Shabaab and Clans
A short backgrounder from a Somali think tank. It ends with:
Link:https://hiraalinstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/AS-Clan-Politics.pdf
UN Moves To Curb Al-shabaab Cash Points
Once more charcoal is a cash source for Al-Shabaab and others I would add. Plus that much vaunted weapon, an international conference in Mogadishu. The main export port ebing Kismayo, which...
Massive military base build up suggests US shadow war is only getting bigger
Beyond the title this article by a reporter based in country is a glimpse into the Somali insurgency:...
Diplomatic tiff reveals size of Somali National Army?
The UAE has fallen out with Somalia:
Link (rolling news item and entry timed 9.04:http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/world-africa-43781532?
Targeted Terror: The Suicide Bombers of al-Shabaab
A CTC report which in summary says:
Link:https://ctc.usma.edu/targeted-terror-suicide-bombers-al-shabaab/
Insight about the Somalia National Army
In this SWJ article are some details and insight into the Somalia National Army, so I cite that part in...
Two quite different perspectives
Two articles on Somalia.
The first is an interview with a PhD research student, Christopher Azalone, who I recall hearing explain his work and study time in parts of...
More strikes
Jason Burke, from The Guardian and SME on terrorism, has this article 'Somali citizens count cost of surge in US airstrikes under Trump', which reports on the human cost of more aerial attacks,...
Somalia (land & sea) 2018 onwards
A new thread for 2018, to be fair this forlorn country gets little posting nowadays, although the 'small war' has not ceased and at sea the piracy has declined.
There are two previous threads,...