Category: al-Shabāb

New video from Ḥarakat al-Shabāb al-Mujāhidīn's media outlet al-Katāi'b: "Message to the Ummah and Inspire The Believers"

Posted on by Aaron Y. Zelin

NOTE: Christopher Anzalone has tweeted some interesting information about this video thus far:

Harakat al-Shabab al-Mujahideen’s new video, “And Incite the Believers,” features fighters from abroad, mostly it seems of Somali descent.
The video clearly states in the intro that it is a recruiting video for those abroad. It features a number of foreigners & diaspora.
Among those quoted in the video are Saleh ‘Ali Saleh al-Nabhani (killed in U.S. military strike Sep. 14, 2009) and Abu Yahya al-Libi.
At least some non-Somali diaspora foreign fighters appear, including one from Pakistan and one from Sudan (a guess as he speaks Arabic).
With regard to a number of the other “foreigners” it’s unclear whether they are from the Somali diaspora or are “foreign” foreign.
The “foreign fighters,” diaspora and “foreign” foreign, hail from Sweden, Britain, Tanzania, Sudan, Kenya, and Pakistan.

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New statement from Ḥarakat al-Shabāb al-Mujāhidīn: "Regarding the Closure of Mobile Money Transfer (MMT) Service in Somalia"

Posted on by Aaron Y. Zelin

NOTE: For more context on this statement see Khalid M. Medani’s 2001 Middle East Report journal article “Financing Terrorism or Survival?: Informal Finance and State Collapse in Somalia, and the US War on Terrorism” (HT Christopher Anzalone). If you want a copy of the article and can’t gain access to JSTOR, email me and I will send you a copy.
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English:
Ḥarakat al-Shabāb al-Mujāhidīn — Statement Regarding the Closure of Mobile Money Transfer (MMT) Service in Somalia (En)
[scribd id=39676313 key=key-nny7y44a08eu8hjspwy mode=list]
Arabic:
Ḥarakat al-Shabāb al-Mujāhidīn — Statement Regarding the Closure of Mobile Money Transfer (MMT) Service in Somalia (Ar)
[scribd id=39674480 key=key-1zzcadqvx6k2xl3js3wq mode=list]

New statement from Ḥarakat al-Shabāb al-Mujāhidīn's al-Katāi'b Media Foundation: "Resuming of data"

Posted on by Aaron Y. Zelin

NOTE: According to al-Katāi’b Media Foundation they did not distribute information for more than two months due to a disruption in their communication system. It is currently back up and they apologized for the lack of communication to those who were concerned. al-Katāi’b Media Foundation is the outlet for Ḥarakat al-Shabāb al-Mujāhidīn, an al-Qā’idah-affiliated organization located in Somalia. For more on al-Katāi’b Media Foundation read Christopher Anzalone’s excellent overview of it and its evolution over the past few years.
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بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
عودة بيانات مُؤسَّسة الكَتائِب الإِعلامِية
الحمد لله رب العالمين والصلاة والسلام على أشرف الأنبياء والمرسلين :
مر على غياب بيانات مُؤسَّسة الكَتائِب الإِعلامِية أكثر من شهرين ، ورغم وقوع الكثير من الأحداث على الساحة الجهادية في الصومال إلا أن هذه البشريات لم تصل إلى الأمة الإسلامية نظرا لتوقف البيانات عن المنتديات ، ونفيدكم أن هذا التوقف لم يكن اختياريا منا ولكن كان بسبب بعض الظروف التي أدت إلى إنقطاع الاتصال بين المؤسسة والإخوة المخولين بنشر بيانات المؤسسة ، والآن ولله الحمد عاد الاتصال بيننا وستعود البيانات إلى سابق عهدها وأكثر إن شاء الله ، وإننا نقدم إعتذارنا لكل الإخوة المهتمين بأحوال المسلمين والذين ما فتؤوا يتسائلون عن غياب البيانات فجزاهم الله خيرا على اهتمامهم ونبشرهم أن الوضع عندنا على أحسنه وأن إخوانكم من جيش العسرة تتوالى عليهم الانتصارات والفتوحات .


وبإذن الله عز وجل سيأتيكم البيان عن حملة نهاية المعتدين بأخبارها الكاملة ، فانتظروا البيان في وقت قريب إن شاء الله .


اللهم منزل الكتاب مجري السحاب هازم الأحزاب، اهزم الصليبيين ومن حالفهم من المرتدين.
اللهم اجعلهم وعتادهم غنيمة للمسلمين.
اللهم دمّرهم و زلزلهم.
اللهم أنت عضدنا وأنت نصيرنا،اللهم بك نصول وبك نجول وبك نقاتل.
والله أكبر
{وَلِلَّهِ الْعِزَّةُ وَلِرَسُولِهِ وَلِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَلَكِنَّ الْمُنَافِقِينَ لا يَعْلَمُونَ}
مُؤسَّسةُ الكَتائِب للإنتَاج الإعلامِي
حَركةُ الشَّبابِ المُجَاهدِين
الإثنين 09 ذو القعدة 1431 هـ
18/10/2010 
المصدر : (مركز صدى الجهاد للإعلام)
الجبهة الإعلامية الإسلامية العالمية
رَصدٌ لأخبَار المُجَاهدِين وَ تَحرِيضٌ للمُؤمِنين

 
 

New audio sermon from Shaykh Ma'alim Burhān of Ḥarakat al-Shabāb al-Mujāhidīn: "War of Rumors"

Posted on by Aaron Y. Zelin

NOTE: Late last week, Shaykh Ma’alim Burhān of Ḥarakat al-Shabāb al-Mujāhidīn, an al-Qā’idah-affiliated organization located in Somalia, conducted a sermon “War of Rumors” at a symposium titled “Axe Campaign of Ibrāhīm.” In his sermon he denounced any rumors that there was division within al-Shabāb as the al-Shabāb spokesmen did in a radio interview.
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New audio sermon from Shaykh Ma’alim Burhān of Ḥarakat al-Shabāb al-Mujāhidīn: “War of Rumors”

New radio message from Ḥarakat al-Shabāb al-Mujāhidīn's Shaykh Mukhtār Rowbow [Abū Manṣūr]: "There is no difference between al-Shabāb al-Mujāhidīn"

Posted on by Aaron Y. Zelin

NOTE: Last week, it was reported that there was infighting and a potential split within the al-Qā’idah-affiliated organization located in Somalia Ḥarakat al-Shabāb al-Mujāhidīn. This rumor though was refuted by Shaykh Mukhtār Rowbow [Abū Manṣūr], former Emir of al-Shabāb (2008-2009) and current spokesmen in a radio announcement earlier in the week. Below is the audio of this announcement in Somali language.
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New radio message from Ḥarakat al-Shabāb al-Mujāhidīn’s Shaykh Mukhtār Rowbow [Abū Manṣūr]: “There is no difference between al-Shabāb al-Mujāhidīn”

New statement from Ḥarakat al-Shabāb al-Mujāhidīn: “Announcement of al-Katāayb Media News Channels New Logo"

Posted on by Aaron Y. Zelin

NOTE: Al-Katāayb Foundation for Media Productions is the media center used by al-Qā’idah-linked Ḥarakat al-Shabāb al-Mujāhidīn based in Somalia. For more on the history and evolution of al-Shabāb’s media read Christopher Anzalone’s, doctoral student at McGill University, recent article “From ‘Martyrdom’ Videos to Jihadi Journalism in Somalia.” Below is an unedited English translation of the statement in Arabic, which is below the English statement.
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English:
Thanks to Allah who said: (And prepare against them whatever you are able of power and of steeds of war by which you may terrify the enemy of Allah and your enemy and others besides them whom you do not know [but] whom Allah knows. And whatever you spend in the cause of Allah will be fully repaid to you, and you will not be wronged.) Prayers and peace be up-on His prophet who said: “Criticize them, whose hands my soul, it is (critics) harder on them than arrows” who also said: “Criticize them and the Holy Spirit is with you”
The Media battle waged by the Mujahideen is one of the hardest and most important in our war against the zio-crusaders infidels, which made us, the caretakers of the media jihad gaps in our beloved Somali front, to strive hard to develop methods for media combat and to advance weapon of jihadi media to report the truth to the people as it is from the battlefields. Also this is to transfer the voice of Mujahideen to the whole world and to defend the Muslims with the help of Allah.
In this sense, the sense of preparation, collection and carrying the Amanah with all our capabilities, we are pleased in the Al-Kataib Media Production, to bring the good news to all the believers about the birth of the “Al-Kataib News Channel” a specialized news channel transmitting the truth directly from the battlefield in audio and video. The team will work hard in transmitting the news of mujahideen directly to the people, away from the fraud, misrepresentation and manipulation of channels of lies and media fabrication. Their plots are reversed on them thanks to Allah the Almighty
The “Al-Kataib News Channel” came to teach.. to tell.. and to incite.. in honor of the martyrs who covered battlefields with their blood in various fronts; east and west, south and north. This came in defense of the victories of the Mujahideen who broke the pride of the infidel West, scattered its papers and made their senior commanders lose their minds. This in support of the Muwahideen’s patience and persistence in the land of pride. This for those who have made a glorious history loaded with invasions and victories. This is in preparation for the dream awaited by millions of Muslims of an Islamic caliphate, which is so close to us, so we tease the infidels and we heal the pain of believers for the sake of accomplishing the great Amanah for which precious blood and souls of our beloved sons in this beloved Ummah were shed
On this occasion, we announce the official logo of the channel, which will appear on all versions, God willing, look for it and disseminate it may Allah support you and stead-fasten you steps.

We ask Allah that this would be the right channel platform of the Mujahideen, the thorn in the throats of the infidels and hypocrites, and we ask Allah to help everyone contributing in this work and to guide them to His way.


Thanks to Allah and prayer and peace be upon the Prophet and his family and companions.

Arabic:
Click here for a safe PDF copy of the statement: Announcement of Al-Kataib News Channel Logo

Al-Katāayb Foundation for Media Productions presents statement from Ḥarakat al-Shabāb al-Mujāhidīn “Regarding the Blessed Kampala operations”

Posted on by Aaron Y. Zelin

UPDATE 2: An individual from the forums has translated Shaykh Mukhtar Abū az-Zubayr message:

“And those who, when great wrong afflicts them, defend themselves” Sura Alshura/39
Allah most Gracious And High described the believers that they are against injustice and avengers from the ones who assaults them.
The so called “AMISOM” in Mogadishu committed bloody massacres worst than ones committed by their predecessors the Ethiopians and Americans. The cannons are constantly targeting the civilians, the tanks leveled to the ground the buildings of Mogadishu, and the machine guns are targeting civilian transportation, all this has become a habit known by the “AMISOM”.
We say to Islamic Ummah in general, and in particular to the people of Mogadishu: inshallah, we will revenge all who were martyred by the AMISOM guns, and what happened in Kampala is only the beginning.
Secondly, we congratulate the brigade of Shaheed Salih Alnabhan who were blessed by execution of the operation in Mogadishu, and we say to them: “These faces are of success, and may Allah reward you on behave of us, and Islam and Muslims.
And finally, we say a message to Mosifini, the leader of the massacres committed against our people:
“Poetry in Swahili”

UPDATE: al-Shabāb released an audio recording of its leader, Shaykh Mukhtar Abū az-Zubayr, regarding the recent bombings in Uganda. Here is a link to the audio in Arabic and Swahili: https://bit.ly/aZdcEG. Here are some highlights of the audio message courtesy of Evan Kohlmann:

“We would like to congratulate the Martyr Saleh Nabhan Brigade which graciously fulfilled the mission [in Kampala].”
“I say to the Ugandan president that what has happened in Kampala was only the beginning. Our revenge will continue.”

Also, check out Michael Scheuer’s, former CIA analyst, thoughts on the al-Shabāb bombings over at his website Non-Intervention.
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NOTE: For more on the al-Shabāb bombings in Uganda, see the following analyses: Leah Farrall of All Things Counterterrorism (https://bit.ly/agwfgc), Christopher Harnisch of AEI’s Critical Threats Project (https://bit.ly/agnurS) and Daveed Gartenstein-Ross of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (https://bit.ly/av5up7). Due to al-Shabāb password-protecting the document, I cannot upload it to Scribd, though, there is a safe PDF file you can download below. The statement is in English.
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Statement Regarding the Blessed Kampala operations

Articles of the Week – 6/26-7/2

Posted on by Aaron Y. Zelin

Saturday June 26:
“The Muslim Past- Book Review of “Faith and Power” & “Muhammad and the Believers”” – Max Rodenbeck, The New York Times: https://nyti.ms/blRwDG
Sunday June 27:
“Endless war, a recipe for four-star arrogance” – Andrew J. Bacevich, The Washington Post: https://bit.ly/cFmDcd
Monday June 28:
“Prisons and Terrorism: Radicalisation and De-radicalisation in 15 Countries” – Peter R. Neumann, et. al,  The International Centre for the Study of Radicalisation and Political Violence: https://bit.ly/9Rt4a2
“Counterinsurgency Under the Microscope” – Andrew Exum, Abu Muqawama Blog: https://bit.ly/bfzrgr
“From Sayyid Qutb To Hamas: The Middle East Conflict and Islamization of Antisemitism – Bassam Tibi, Yale University Working Paper Series: https://bit.ly/ctPYMF
Tuesday June 29:
“Abu Yahya al-Libi’s Long, Lonely Journey” – Jarret Brachman: https://bit.ly/9Hfmv9
“How Tribal Are the Taleban? Afghanistan’s Largest Insurgent Movement between its Tribal Roots and Islamist Ideology” – Thomas Ruttig, The Afghanistan Analysts Network: https://bit.ly/aR36Hl
“Estimates for Hezbollah’s Arsenal” – David Schapiro & Katherine Zimmerman, IranTracker: https://bit.ly/cWCC3S
“Islamist Radicalism in Yemen” (Updated) – Deborah Jerome, Council on Foreign Relations: https://bit.ly/aFe361
“Views of Pakistani Religious Leader Dr. Israr Ahmed (1932-2010) Regarding the Structure of an Islamic Caliphate” – The Middle East Media Research Institute: https://bit.ly/bG8mQF
“An Al-Shabaab Narco-Terrorism Connection?” – Investigative Project on Terrorism: https://bit.ly/cRXkoG
Wednesday June 30:
“The Haqqanis and al-Qaeda” – Anand Gopal, Mansur Khan Mahsud and Brian Fishman, The AfPak Channel: https://bit.ly/9NdXYM
The reason why the new al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula magazine “Inspire” was corrupted & then taken down from the forums – Internet Haganah: https://bit.ly/alZhaR
“Pakistani Terror Group Lashkar-e Tayyiba Extends Tentacles in United States” – The Investigative Project on Terrorism: https://bit.ly/dtNEvn
Thursday July 1:
“Al-Qaeda in Iraq: Eliminating Leaders Will Not Necessarily Cut Lifelines” – Omar Ashour, Arab Reform Bulletin: https://bit.ly/avX3u1
“Tariq Ramadan: Exposing the Irrelevance of His Defenders in America” – Dr. Robert D. Crane, The American Muslim: https://bit.ly/aS5SZs
“Four Questions for Yemen Scholar Gregory Johnsen” – The Atlantic: https://bit.ly/a8ApNC
“Counting al-Qaeda” – Brian Fishman, The AfPak Channel: https://bit.ly/aYVvqN
“Top Twenty Plots to Know since 9/11” – The Center on Law and Security: https://bit.ly/9QfVz2
Friday July 2:
“Ruminations on the AQAP magazine and its ridiculous coverage” – J.M. Berger, IntelWire: https://bit.ly/akv4Rz
“Hiding In Plain Sight- Terrorists in Punjab Province” – Ahmad Majidyar, Foreign Policy: https://bit.ly/9lW9f6