The evolution of the Al-Shabaab jihadist intelligence structure

ABSTRACT

Terrorist groups that have survived for many years have developed sophisticated information-gathering techniques to counter imminent threats. Al-Shabaab, a Somali-based armed Islamic group, has also developed its own intelligence-gathering strategy through the Amniyat, an intelligence unit focused on tactical efficiency, targeting, counterintelligence (CI), and communication strategy to outperform their opponents. This study adopts a structural analysis to investigate how the organisation evolved historically and established the internal structure of its intelligence division. Emphasizing their counterintelligence (CI) operations, and how Al-Shabaab use CI to their advantage for survival. In doing this, the article draws on the perspectives of John Gentry on VNSA intelligence.

Acknowledgements

First, I am thankful to Allah for providing me with the capacity to complete this article. My gratitude goes to Hussein Sheikh Ali, whose willingness to help exceeded my expectations. I benefited from his thoughtful, enormously advice. I want to express my appreciation to Abdirizak Omar Mohamed for his devoted and excellent editing. His valuable comments were always helpful. A special thanks to Mohamed Yasir for his cooperation and support during the research and others who prefer to remain unnamed. I would also like to thank the two anonymous reviewers for their time, effort, and suggestions in a kind and constructive tone. Finally, I am deeply grateful to the journal’s editor, Professor Mark Phythian, for his support.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

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2. Hoffman, “The Modern Terrorist Mindset”, 84.

3. Cronin, “How al-Qaida Ends”.

4. Gentry, “Toward a Theory of Non-State Actors” Intelligence”, 465–489.

5. Ahmad, “Going Global:Islamist competition in contemporary civil wars”, 365.

6. Felter, Masters, and Sergie, “Al-Shabab” Council on Foreign Relations”. Accessed 19 May 2021. https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/al-shabab.

7. Ibid.

8. Bryden and Brickhill, “Disarming Somalia”, 256.

9. Anderson and McKnight, “Understanding al-Shabaab”, 2.

10. UNDP. “Somalia Human Development Report 2012”.

11. Anzalone, “Al-Shabab”s Tactical and Media Strategies”, 1.

12. Hansen, Al-Shabaab in Somalia, 95.

13. Bryden, “The Reinvention of al-Shabaab”, 4–5.

14. Anzalone, C. (2016). “The Resilience of al-Shabaab.” CTC Sentinel 9 (4): 13.

15. Interview with Hussein Sheikh Ali, former national security advisor to the president of Somalia, currently chairman of Hiraal institute.

16. Maruf, Harun, and Dan Joseph. Inside al-Shabaab, 64.

17. Zakat, a mandatory tax required of Muslims, one of the five Pillars of Islam.

18. Hiraal Institute, “Al-Shabab”s Military Machine”, 1. https://hiraalinstitute.org/al-shababs-military-machine/.

19. Hiraal Institute. “The AS Finance System”. https://hiraalinstitute.org/wpcontent/uploads/2018/07/AS-Finance-System.pdf.

20. Esposito, “Pillars of Islam”.

21. Mohamed, A.O. “The Recent Al-Shabab Resurgence: Policy Options for Somalia.” Hiiraan Online, 17 August 2019. https://www.hiiraan.com/op4/2019/aug/165221/the_recent_al_shabab_resurgence_policy_options_for_somalia.aspx.

22. Interview with Abdirizak Mohamed, Former Minister of Internal Security of Federal Govenement of Somalia.

23. Confidential report on Al-Shabaab”s intelligence budget.

24. United Nations, “Report of the Monitoring Group on Somalia and Eritrea”.

25. Ibid.

26. Ibid.

27. Hiraal Institute, “The AS Finance System”.

28. Hiraal Institute, “The War in Somalia in 2018”, 3.

29. Interview with Security expert.

30. Pantucci, Understanding the al-Shabaab Networks.

31. Krech, “The Growing Influence of Al-Qaeda”.

32. Maruf, Harun, and Joseph, Inside Al-Shabaab.

33. Hansen, Al-Shabaab in Somalia.

34. Alkaff, “Deconstructing al-Shabaab”s Transnational Jihadist Image”.

35. Sinkó & Besenyö, “Comparison of the Secret Service of al-Shabaab”.

36. Holseth, “Al Shabaab–Is It the New Al-Qaeda?”.

37. Sinkó & Besenyö, “Comparison of the Secret Service of al-Shabaab”, 14–15.

38. Interview with Senior Al-Shabaab defector, 17 January 2020.

39. Interview with former Amniyat operative, February 2020.

40. Wege, “The Changing Islamic State Intelligence Apparatus.” 273–4.

41. Ibid.

42. Gentry and Spencer, “Colombia”s FARC”, 457.

43. Ibid., 463.

44. Ilardi, “Al-Qaeda”s Counterintelligence Doctrine”, 256.

45. Ilardi, “The 9–11 Attacks”, p. 172 and 181.

46. Post, “Declaration of Jihad”, 8.

47. Gentry, “Toward a Theory of Non-State Actors” Intelligence”, 11.

48. See note above 12.

49. See note above 15.

50. UN Monitoring Group on Somalia and Eritrea, Report of the Monitoring Group on Somalia, and Eritrea according to Security Council Resolution 2060, 56.

51. Ibid., 50.

52. Bryden, “The Reinvention of Al-Shabaab”, 7.

53. UN Monitoring Group on Somalia and Eritrea, Report of the Monitoring Group on Somalia and Eritrea Under Security Council Resolution 2111, 13.

54. Sulick, “Counterintelligence in the War against Terrorism”, 26.

55. Gentry, “Toward a Theory of Non-State Actors” Intelligence”, 473.

56. Ibid.

57. D”Agoôt, “Reappraising the Effectiveness of Intelligence Methods”, 5–9.

58. Strachan-Morris, “The Use of Intelligence by Insurgent Groups”, 11–12.

59. Hodge, “How Somalia”s al-Shabab Militants hone their Image”.

60. Lecture of former Al-Shabaab Emir Ahmed Godane on the group”s security rules.

61. Ibid.

62. Maruf, H. “Al-Shabab Kills 18 in Surge of Executions” VOA Somali, 8 July 2019. https://www.voanews.com/africa/al-shabab-kills-18-surge-executions.

63. Gentry, “Toward a Theory of Non-State Actors” Intelligence”, 9.

64. Interview with former senior figure in Al-Shabaab.

65. Al Jazeera, “Somali interior minister “killed by niece,”“ Somalia News, Al Jazeera, 10 June 2011. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2011/6/10/somali-interior-minister-killed-by-niece.

66. Voice of America, Galka Baarista: Maxaan ka ognahay “Basiira Cabdi Maxamed”? 24 September 2019. https://www.voasomali.com/a/5096349.html.

67. Gentry, “Toward a Theory of Non-State Actors” Intelligence”, 20.

68. Tantalakis, “Insurgents” Intelligence Network”, 7, 8, and 14.

69. Strachan-Morris, “The Use of Intelligence by Insurgent Groups”, 7.

70. Bell, “The Armed Struggle”, 118.

71. Gentry, “Toward a Theory of Non-State Actors” Intelligence”, 12.

72. Arango, “Insurgent Counterintelligence,” 39–53.

73. See note above 39.

74. Ibid.

75. Ibid.

76. Maruf, H., “College Teacher Convicted for Leading Al-Shabab Operations in Mogadishu” VOA 01, January 2020. https://www.voanews.com/africa/college-teacher-convicted-leading-al-shabab-operations-mogadishu.

77. Al Jazeera, “Somalia MP Killed in Drive-by Shooting,” Somalia News, Al Jazeera, 23 July 2014. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2014/7/23/somalia-mp-killed-in-drive-by-shooting.

78. Hussein Abdisalaam Ahmed was an MP in the 9th parliament of Somalia. He was killed outside Mogadishu University, where he was studying Economics. Sheikh Aden Madeer was also an MP in the 9th parliament of Somalia and was chairman of the parliamentary finance committee. Finally, Mohamed Mohamud Hayd was a prominent Somali member of the legislature. He also served in several capacities in the army; he became an admiral of the Somali Navy and was tenured twice as a minister of environment and education in Somalia.

79. Goldman, “Former Key Al-Shabaab Operative Denounces the Terror Group”, Strategic Intelligence Service, 27 January 2015. https://intelligencebriefs.com/former-key-al-shabaab-operative-denounces-the-terror-group/.

80. Oppel, Mazzetti, and Mekhennet, “Attacker in Afghanistan was a Double Agent”.

81. Interview with ex- Shabaab defector, 25 April 2020.

82. Interview with senior Al-Shabaab defector, 17 January 2020.

83. Bay, T. “Somali Militants Live-Tweet Their Deadly Attack on U.N. Compound”, Foreign Policy, 19 June 2013. https://foreignpolicy.com/2013/06/19/somali-militants-live-tweet-their-deadly-attack-on-u-n-compound/.

84. Ibrahim, “Somali Deaths Climb to 25 In Hotel Attack.” The New York Times, 21 February. https://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/22/world/africa/attack-in-mogadishu-on-friday-leaves-25-people-dead-and-40-wounded.html.

85. Maruf, and Joseph. Inside al-Shabaab, 168.

86. As of 22 January 2016, the Al Jazeera reported on its website “Al-Shabab Storms Beachside Restaurant in Somali Capital”. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/1/22/al-shabab-storms-beachside-restaurant-in-somali-capital.

87. Rosenau, Subversion and Insurgency, 6.

88. Former Senior NISA official, interviewed 7 February 2020.

89. Ibid.

90. Ibid.

91. Sinko & Besenyo, “Comparison of the Secret Service of al-Shabaab”, 7–8.

92. Ibid.

93. Interview with Ex-Amniyat operative.

94. Maruf, “Somalia Assesses Al-Shabab Moles” Infiltration of Government.” Voice of America, 15 August. https://www.voanews.com/africa/somalia-assesses-al-shabab-moles-infiltration-government.

95. Investigative Dossier, Twitter Post. 12 August 2020, 3:54 AM, https://twitter.com/i_dossier/status/1293274592769904640.

96. “Warbixin dheeraad ah oo uu sheegay dhagar qabe Xasan Muxiyadin.” YouTube video, “Falkaal Media”, 11 July 2014. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zt72vM0GGwY.

97. See note above 94.

98. Parrin, “Creating a Legal Framework for Terrorism Defectors and Detainees in Somalia”, 257.

99. Heather, Intelligence and counter-insurgency in Kenya, 1952–1956, 61.

100. Interview with former Security Advisor to the Office of the President of Somalia, 27 February 2020.

101. Ibid.

102. Goldman, “Former Key Al-Shabaab Operative Denounces the Terror Group”.

103. U.S. Department of State (media note), “Rewards for Justice – al-Shabaab Leaders Reward Offers,” 7 June 2012. https://20092017.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2012/06/191914.htm#:~:text=The%20U.S.%20Department%20of%20State,Mohamed%20Mahamoud%2C%20and%20Mukhtar%20Robow.

104. Gelot, Linnéa, and Stig Hansen. “They are from within us: CVE Brokerage in South-central Somalia”, 569–570.

105. Maruf, H. “Al-Shabab Defectors Being Rehabilitated to Re-Enter Somali Society,” Voice of America, 29 August 2017. https://www.voanews.com/africa/al-shabab-defectors-being-rehabilitated-reenter-somali-society.

106. Ibid.

107. Garowe Online, “Ninkii dilay taliyihii NISA ee Shabeelaha dhexe oo la qabtay”, Garowe Online, 22 June 2016. https://www.garoweonline.com/en/news/somalia/ninkii-dilay-taliyihii-nisa-shabeellaha dhexe-oo-la-qabtay.

108. “Xukunka Ay Maanta Fulisay Maxkamada Ciidamada Qalabka Sida”, Radio Dalsan, 25 May 2017. https://www.radiodalsan.com/warar/dhageyso-xukunka-ay-maanta-fulisay-maxkamada-ciidamada-qalabka-sida/.

109. Interview with security expert, 28 February 2020.

110. Maruf, H. “College Teacher Convicted for Leading Al-Shabab Operations in Mogadishu” Voice of America, 1 January 2020. https://www.voanews.com/a/africa_college-teacher-convicted-leading-al-shabab-operations-mogadishu/6181942.html.

111. See note above 26.

112. “Three Shabaabs executed in court martial-ordered firing squad”, Radio Dalsan, 29 November 2020. https://en.radiodalsan.com/66908/2020/11/three-shabaabs-executed-in-court-martial-ordered-firing-squad/.

113. See note above 110.

114. “Somalia MP Killed in Drive-by Shooting”, Al Jazeera, 23 July 2014. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2014/7/23/somalia-mp-killed-in-drive-by-shooting.

115. “Barnaamij Ku Saabsan Shabakado Al Shabaab”, (YouTube, 27 December 2014), https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Br2Ctl bGUg.

116. “Maxkamadda Ciidmaada Qalabka Sida Oo Dil Toogasho Ah Ku Fulisay Shuceyb Ibraahim iyo Faarax Cali Cabdi”, Goobjoog News, 24 May 2015. https://goobjoog.com/maxkamadda-ciidmaada-qalabka-sida-oo-dil-toogasho-ah-ku-filsay-shuceyb-ibraahim-iyo-faarax-cali-cabdi/.

117. Somalia Judicial Network, “Maxkamadda Ciidamada oo xukunno ku riday sagaal Shabaab ah oo ay mid haween tahay”. 5 November 2019. https://garsoor.so/2019/11/05/maxkamadda-ciidamada-oo-xukunno-ku-riday-sagaal-shabaab-ah-oo-ay-mid-haween-tahay/.

118. Somalia Judicial Network, “Maxkamadda Ciidamada oo Xukun ku riday Nin Watay Boorso Qarax ah … “ https://garsoor.so/2020/12/23/maxkamadda-ciidamada-oo-xukun-ku-riday-nin-watay-boorso-qarax-ah/.

119. Somalia Judicial Network, “Qarax dhajiye la xukumay” 18 July 0220. https://garsoor.so/2020/07/18/qarax-dhajiye-la-xukumay/.

120. NISA. Twitter Post. 22 January 2020, 2:38 AM, https://twitter.com/HSNQ_NISA/status/1219690712800862216.

121. Mohamud, “Alshabaab Oo Iska Fogaysay in Fanaan Abshir Gaarne Uu Ka Tirsanaa.,” Horseed Media, Somali News, 22 January 2020, https://horseedmedia.net/2020/01/22/alshabaab-oo-iska-fogaysay-in-fanaan-abshir-gaarne-uu-ka-tirsanaa/.

122. Gentry, “Toward a Theory of Non-State Actors” Intelligence”, 10.

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Zakarie Ahmed nor Kheyre

Zakarie Ahmed nor Kheyre holds a master’s degree in strategic and defence studies from the University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur - Malaysia. His research interest is concerned with security in the Horn of Africa, focusing on Somalia’s National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) and Al-Shabaab’s Intelligence Unit (Amniyat). He has previously been involved in various projects and programs in Africa. Most notably, his work within SAVE International (A non-governmental counter-terrorism organisation), focuses on issues of peace-building, countering violent extremism and conflict resolution projects targeting young Somalis on social media and in local communities. Zakarie is currently an independent researcher in the field of intelligence and security. Email: [email protected]