Shabaab Photographs Toy Gun-Totting Children During Eid Celebrations, Claims 18 Attacks in One-Week
The Shabaab al-Mujahideen Movement, the Somalia-based branch of al-Qaeda (AQ), photographed children posing with toy guns during Eid al-Fitr celebrations in areas it controls, and claimed a total of 18 attacks in a one-week period.
The group's Shahada News Agency published 15 attack reports on May 21-27, 2020, and an article on Eid on May 23. In the article, Shahada boasted that the Shabaab correctly identified the first day of Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan, and derided the "Western-backed Somali government" for incorrectly identifying the day and then backtracking. It featured dozens of photos of Somali civilians and fighters attending the Eid ceremonies in Jilib and Sakow in Middle Juba, Kunya Barow in Lower Shabelle, El Buur and Galhareri in Galguduud, and Buqa Aable in Hiran. Below is a sampling of the photos:
Regarding its military operations, Shahada did not document any attacks on May 23, the day of observing Eid al-Fitr. On May 24, however, fighters mounted simultaneous attacks on Somali and Ugandan forces in five districts in Lower Shabelle. Also, on May 26, the Shabaab executed a man as punishment for his premeditated murder of another individual.
Following is a translation of the reports:
May 21, 2020
- Shabaab al-Mujahideen Movement fighters attacked a military base of Ugandan forces in the Mashlay area, on the outskirts of the city of Qoryoley, in Lower Shabelle province, southern Somalia. There are reports of casualties.
- A governmental militia gathering was targeted in a bombing by Shabaab al-Mujahideen Movement fighters at the Howl Wadag junction, in the capital, Mogadishu. There are reports of casualties in their ranks.
- The governmental militia incurred deaths and injuries in a raid by Shabaab al-Mujahideen Movement fighters on a military checkpoint at the Janale city bridge, in Lower Shabelle province, southern Somalia.
- A governmental militia element was assassinated by a security detachment from the Shabaab al-Mujahideen Movement in Lafole district, on the outskirts of the capital, Mogadishu.
May 22, 2020
- Shabaab al-Mujahideen Movement fighters mounted an attack on military bases of Kenyan forces in the towns of Kulbiyow and Hozingow, located on the artificial border between Somalia and Kenya.
May 24, 2020
- Multiple attacks were waged simultaneously on bases of Ugandan forces and the governmental militia by Shabaab al-Mujahideen Movement fighters in Janale, Bulo Marir, Ambareeso, Mashlay, and Danow, in Lower Shabelle province, southern Somalia, where they led to casualties in their ranks.
- A local government official and an element from the Somali government's security and intelligence service were assassinated by a security detachment from the Shabaab al-Mujahideen Movement in the city of Afgoye, southwest of the capital, Mogadishu.
May 25, 2020
- Shabaab al-Mujahideen Movement fighters attacked a governmental militia training camp on the outskirts of the border city of Dhobley, in Juba province, southern Somalia, where it ended with the fighters taking control over the camp. Reports indicate a large number of militia elements killed.
- Two governmental militia elements were killed and their weapons were captured as spoils, in a raid by Shabaab al-Mujahideen Movement fighters on a military post on the outskirts of the city of Bal'ad, north of the capital, Mogadishu.
May 26, 2020
- Shabaab al-Mujahideen Movement fighters mounted an attack on a military base of Ethiopian forces at the Bardhere city airport, in Gedo province, southwestern Somalia, inflicting them with human casualties and material losses.
- 10 governmental militia elements were killed and one was wounded, and a military vehicle was destroyed after a bombing targeting them by Shabaab al-Mujahideen Movement fighters on the outskirts of the city of Bal'ad, north of the capital, Mogadishu.
- The Islamic Court for the Shabaab al-Mujahideen Movement implemented reciprocal punishment on Muhammad Jino Jam'ali, for the premeditated murder of a Muslim, in the city of El Buur, in Galguduud province, central Somalia.
May 27, 2020
- Multiple Ethiopian forces were killed, including an explosives expert, in addition to governmental militia members, and a troop carrier and military vehicle was destroyed, in the detonation of two explosive devices planted by Shabaab al-Mujahideen Movement fighters near the city of Bardhale, in Bay and Bakool province, southern Somalia.
- The governmental militia incurred deaths and injuries in a raid by Shabaab al-Mujahideen Movement fighters on military posts in the city of Qoryoley, in Lower Shabelle province, southern Somalia.
- A military truck of the Ethiopian forces was destroyed and a number of them were killed and wounded, in an attack carried out by Shabaab al-Mujahideen Movement fighters on a military base at the Barhdere city airport, in Gedo province, southwestern Somalia, yesterday. It is noted that a special helicopter arrived to the attack site to transport the severely wounded.
