Category: al-Shabāb

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

Al-Katāayb Foundation for Media Productions presents: "The African Crusaders"

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. Ibn Siqilli on this video:

Harakat al-Shabab’s media outlet, the Al-Kata’ib (Brigades) Media Foundation, released a video entitled “The African Crusaders” yesterday in which the AU’s forces are labeled agents of the United States, which seeks to persecute Muslims in Somalia and across the globe. Battle footage shows fierce fighting between Harakat al-Shabab militiamen and AU forces, particularly Uganda Army soldiers. Ugandan “crusaders” were discussed in Harakat al-Shabab’s groundbreaking September 2009 video “Labbayk Ya Usama” (We Heed Your Call, O’ Usama), which I wrote about at some length HERE.
Citizens of the African nations contributing soldiers to the AU mission in Somalia, namely Uganda and Burundi, are asked to consider whether they wish to sacrifice their sons to a failed mission in Somalia to support a weak, failing government, that led by PresidentShaykh Sharif Ahmed. The video’s narrator asks Ugandans to consider whether their soldiers would have been better employed defending them from the insurgents of the Lord’s Resistance Army led by Joseph Kony in northern Uganda.
In one part, audio of the late Harakat al-Shabab leader Aden (Adan, Adam) Hashi Ayro (he was killed in a U.S. missile strike in March 2008) is used and a current commander, Husayn Fidow, is shown speaking. The group also recently released photographs of its fighters burning captured AU vehicles.

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Best Articles of the Past Week – 6/5-6/11

Posted on by Aaron Y. Zelin

Saturday June 5:
“Abu Walid al Masri responds to Charles Cameron” – Leah Farrall, All Things Counter Terrorism: https://allthingsct.wordpress.com/2010/06/05/abu-walid-al-masri-responds-to-charles-cameron/
“Rhetoric and Reality: Countering Terrorism in the Age of Obama” – Marc Lynch, Center for a New American Security: https://www.cnas.org/files/documents/publications/CNAS_Rhetoric%20and%20Reality_Lynch.pdf
Monday June 7:


“Does al Qaeda Threaten the World Cup? Assessment, Context, and Implications for Understanding of the al Qaeda Network” – Charlie Szrom, Critical Threats Project: https://www.criticalthreats.org/africa/does-al-qaeda-threaten-world-cup-assessment-context-june-7-2010
Tuesday June 8:
“Exploiting Grievances: Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula” – Alistair Harris, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace: https://www.carnegieendowment.org/files/exploiting_grievances.pdf
“Counterterrorism and democracy promotion in the Sahel under Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama from September 11, 2001, to the Nigerien Coup of February 2010” – Alex Thurston, Association of Concerned Africa Scholars, ACAS Bulletin No. 85: https://concernedafricascholars.org/docs/bulletin85thurston.pdf
“From GSPC to AQIM: The evolution of an Algerian islamist terrorist group into an Al-Qa‘ida Affiliate and its implications for the Sahara-Sahel region” – Stephen Harmon, Association of Concerned Africa Scholars, ACAS Bulletin No. 85: https://concernedafricascholars.org/docs/bulletin85harmon.pdf
Wednesday June 9:
“Militants Seize Mecca” – Marissa Allison, al-Maktabah Blog: https://azelin.wordpress.com/2010/06/09/guest-post-juhayman-al-utaybi-and-the-siege-of-the-grand-mosque-in-mecca/
Thursday June 10:
“Could Al-Qaeda Turn African in the Sahel?” – Jean-Pierre Filiu, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, Carnegie Papers No. 112: https://www.carnegieendowment.org/files/al_qaeda_sahel.pdf
“Jihād & the Battle of Uncertainty” – Abū Yaḥyā al-Lībī, Al-Fajr Media Center: https://jihadology.net/wp-content/uploads/_pda/2010/06/al-fajr-media-center-presents-a-new-book-by-abu-yahya-al-libi-jihad-the-battle-of-uncertainty.pdf
“Pakistan’s New Networks of Terror” – Imtiaz Gul, Foreign Policy: https://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2010/06/10/pakistans_new_networks_of_terror
Friday June 11:
“Muddying the ‘Taliban'” – Brian Fishman, The AfPak Channel: https://afpak.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2010/06/11/muddying_the_taliban

Al-Katāi’b Media releases new video statement: "Message to the French People From the Imprisoned Security Adviser Denis Allex"

Posted on by Aaron Y. Zelin

NOTE: Yesterday, Al-Katāi’b Media released a video message where a French security advisor Denis Allex pleads to French citizens and his government to release him. He is currently held by al-Qā’idah ally Ḥarakat al-Shabāb al-Mujāhidīn. Also, Allex appears to be wearing a prison jumpsuit. Could one argue that this is a veiled message about Guantanamo Bay? The entire video is embedded below. For more on the statement see the full AFP story:

The Frenchman cited the demands of his captors, Somalia’s Al-Qaeda-inspired Shebab rebels, which include the immediate end to any political and military support from France for the Somali government and the withdrawal of all foreign advisors and private security firms in Somalia.

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Statement from the Islamic State of Iraq: "Congratulations to the Brothers in Somalia With Announcing al-Katāi'b Media"

Posted on by Aaron Y. Zelin

بسـم الله الرحمـن الرحيـم

{ذَلِكَ بِأَنَّهُمْ لا يُصِيبُهُمْ ظَمَأٌ وَلا نَصَبٌ وَلا مَخْمَصَةٌ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ وَلا يَطَأُونَ مَوْطِئاً يُغِيظُ الْكُفَّارَ وَلا يَنَالُونَ مِنْ عَدُوٍّ نَيْلاً إِلَّا كُتِبَ لَهُمْ بِهِ عَمَلٌ صَالِحٌ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لا يُضِيعُ أَجْرَ الْمُحْسِنِينَ}[التوبة: من الآية120].

الحمد لله ربّ العالمين، والصلاة والسلام على نبيّنا محمّد، وعلى آله وصحبه أجمعين… وبعد:
ففي خطوةٍ مسدّدة موفّقة، أعلن إخوة التوحيد والجهاد في أرض العزّة وجيش العُسرة في الصّومال الحبيبة، عن ولادة مؤسسة إعلاميّة جديدة؛ ونحنُ في مؤسسّة الفرقان إذ نهنّئهم ونباركُ لهم، ونشدُّ على أيديهم إقدامهم على مثل هذا المشروع المهم والخطوة النّوعية..
فإننا نسأل الله أن يجعل عملهم خالصاً لوجهه الكريم، وأن تكون هذه المؤسسة الفتيّة نافذةً جديدة تُشرق منها شمس التوحيد، وتُحيي بإنتاجها الإعلامي قلوباً طال عليها الأمدُ، وحَجَبت عنها ظلماتُ الباطلِ نورَ الحقّ ولذّة النفير والجهاد في سبيل الله.
ولتحضى أمّتنا الجريحة بفرصة أخرى تطلُّ منها على أملها الحقيقيّ القادم، والذي سيحفظ لها بيضتها ويأخذ بيدها لسواحل العزة وبرّ الأمان والخير والرّفعة، وليدفع عنها مكر المنافقين وكيدَ المجرمين، وفي مقدّمتهم ذئاب الحملة الصّليبية الجديدة وأذنابها الدّائرين في فلكها…
والله أكبر
{وَلِلَّهِ الْعِزَّةُ وَلِرَسُولِهِ وَلِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَلَكِنَّ الْمُنَافِقِينَ لا يَعْلَمُونَ}
إخوتكم في مؤسّسة الفُرقان/ وزارةُ الإعلام
دولةُ العراقِ الإسلاميّة

المصدر : (مركز الفجر للإعلام )