In January 2012, Somalia Report reported that al-Shabaab had sacked its Kismayo administrator, Sheikh Hassan Yacqub, but it was unclear at that time who was to take his place. New reports indicate that al-Shabaab have appointed Sheikh Abu Habeeb to… Read More ›
Al-Shabaab’s District Commissioner in Kismayo, Sheikh Hassan Yacqub, has begun efforts to evacuate his wives and children out of the port city in anticipation of troops allied with the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) into the city in the coming weeks. According… Read More ›
The previous blog post lays out the initial reports that allege al-Shabaab’s spiritual leader Sheikh Hassan Dahir Aweys had defected to the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) in Afgoye. New reports make this claim more unlikely. Al-Shabaab’s media rep on Twitter… Read More ›
In a recent speech from a mosque in Lower Shabelle, al-Shabaab spiritual leader Sheikh Hassan Dahir Aweys continued his rogue status as an alternative voice in the group. Aweys stated that the Somali people “have rights” and should work toward… Read More ›
On March 16, 2012, Abu Mansur al-Amriki (aka Omar Hammami) released a video expressing fear for his life within al-Shabaab due to ideological and strategic differences–an event that caused a stir among Somalia news followers. Adding more drama, Gedo Online… Read More ›
somalianewsroom.com 