New UN report on the situation in Mogadishu reaches critical levels

[Farm]

37. Al-Qaida affiliate Harakat Al-Shabaab Al-Mujaahidiin (Al-Shabaab) (SOe.001) began 2019 with the strategic intent to intensify attacks and maintain momentum in Somalia and abroad.28 During the reporting period, Al-Shabaab shifted from a strategy involving high-impact attacks to one of sustained, frequent and eventually daily multiple attacks. In Mogadishu, it ordered the removal of closed-circuit televisions to hinder monitoring of its activities. On 23 March, Al-Shabaab detonated four explosives within one hour in different locations in Mogadishu. Member States observed that Al-Shabaab has further enhanced its improvised explosive device capability with more powerful home-made devices.

38. Member States attribute the upsurge in attacks by Al-Shabaab to several factors. First, many high- and middle-level commanders and fighters relocated from their bases in lower Shabelle to safe havens in the Mogadishu environs owing to the
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25 Member State information. 26 Member State information. 27 Member State information. 28 Member State information. 29 Member State information.
S/2019/570

S/2019/570
12/24

ongoing military offensive of the African Union Mission in Somalia and were thus able to enhance coordination in executing complex attacks. Second, the mass dismissal of security personnel in early 2019 created a vacuum that helped Al-Shabaab to reorganize and take strategic positions for attacks. Some of the discharged personnel joined the ranks of Al-Shabaab, boosting its capabilities with much-needed training, skills and insider knowledge of government operations and key targets.

39. According to several Member States, the most critical factor contributing to Al-Shabaab’s resilience is its institutionalized and secure revenue base (see S/2018/14/Rev.1, para. 40; S/2018/705, para. 46; and S/2019/50, para. 45). Al-Shabaab continues to expand the scope of its extortion activities in the geographical areas and commercial sectors under its control. In recent months, for instance, Al-Shabaab paralysed supply routes of major towns by closing access roads to government-controlled areas. This consequently opened a lucrative income stream after the group negotiated and increased levies from commercial, public transport and humanitarian agencies operating across Somalia.


30 In May 2019, Al-Shabaab closed the port of Mogadishu for six days, reopening it only after an agreement was made with the business community regarding its extortion payments.31 Similar negotiations took place in the Bakaara market.32 In addition, Al-Shabaab expanded taxation to include flight tickets and telecommunications companies and secured control of revenue from Ceelasha Biyaha and parts of Yaaqshiid and Huriwa districts.

40. Member States reported continued forced conscription, training and radicalization activities (see S/2019/50, para. 46). One Member State reported that approximately 200 recruits had completed training and been recently deployed in the Middle Juba region. Similarly, the head of the Amniyat33 in the Banaadir region recently requested that more fighters be deployed to Mogadishu. Consequently, Al-Shabaab ordered those unable to pay the high extortion payments to enrol their children in the group’s ranks.

 

[Crow]

@SilverL
The United Nations Security Council released their bi-annual report on global terrorism two weeks ago. Below is the section on East Africa.

https://www.un.org/securitycouncil/sanctions/1267/monitoring-team/reports

37. Al-Qaida affiliate Harakat Al-Shabaab Al-Mujaahidiin (Al-Shabaab) began 2019 with the strategic intent to intensify attacks and maintain momentum in Somalia and abroad. During their reporting period, Al-Shabaab shifted from a strategy involving high-impact attacks to one of sustained, frequent and eventually daily multiple attacks. In Mogadishu, it ordered the removal of closed -circuit televisions to hinder monitoring of its activities. On 23 March, Al-Shabaab detonated four explosives within one hour in different locations in Mogadishu. Member States observed that Al-Shabaab has further enhanced its improvised explosive device capability with more powerful home-made devices.

This was reported on several months ago by Mudane @Farm.
Al-Shabab Orders All CCTV Cameras In Mogadishu Switched Off As Fears Of A Major Attacks Intensifies

38. Member States attribute the upsurge in attacks by Al-Shabaab to several factors. First, many high- and middle level commanders and fighters relocated from their bases in lower Shabelle to safe havens in the Mogadishu environs owing to the ongoing military offensive of the African Union Mission in Somalia and were thus able to enhance coordination in executing complex attacks. Second, the mass dismissal of security personnel in early 2019 created a vacuum that helped Al-Shabaab to reorganize and take strategic positions for attacks. Some of the discharged personnel joined the ranks of Al Shabaab, boosting its capabilities with much-needed training, skills and insider knowledge of government operations and key targets.

39. According to several Member States, the most critical factor contributing to Al-Shabaab’s resilience is its institutionalized and secure revenue base. Al-Shabaab continues to expand the scope of its extortion activities in the geographical areas and commercial sectors under its control. In recent months, for instance, Al-Shabaab paralysed supply routes of major towns by closing access roads to government controlled areas. This consequently opened a lucrative income stream after the group negotiated and increased levies from commercial, public transport and humanitarian agencies operating across Somalia. In May 2019, Al Shabaab closed the port of Mogadishu for six days, reopening it only after an agreement was made with the business community regarding its extortion payments. Similar negotiations took place in the Bakaara market. In addition, Al-Shabaab expanded taxation to include flight tickets and telecommunications companies and secured control of revenue from Ceelasha Biyaha and parts of Yaaqshiid and Huriwa districts.

The Mogadishu port being closed by Al Shabaab was reported on several months ago by yours truly.

Mogadishu port has been closed by Al Shabaab for the past few days. The FGS is crumbling.

But the taxing of flights is beyond my wildest imagination.

40. Member States reported continued forced conscription, training and radicalization activities. One Member State reported that approximately 200 recruits had completed training and been recently deployed in the Middle Juba region. Similarly, the head of the Amniyat in the Banaadir region recently requested that more fighters be deployed to Mogadishu. Consequently, Al-Shabaab ordered those unable to pay the high extortion payments to enrol their children in the group’s ranks.

 

[Crow]

What are your thoughts, abaayo? @embarassing