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An End to Order
After a 22 year rule, the dictator Siad Barre fleed Somalia after being ousted by opposition. No replacement was agreed upon between waring clan leaders. This led to a decline in the quality of the functioning of Somalia. Because of this decline, conditions were made easier for al-Shabaab and others to do what they pleased. (PIC: Military portrait of Siad Barre). -
Black Hawk Down
During a mission led by the United States in the Somali captial city of Mogadishu to capture leaders, Somali fighters and armed civilians were able to gun down two United States Black Hawk helicopters, which led to a standoff in the city. It is believed that Osama Bin Laden was behind these shootings while the helicopters hovered over Mogadishu. In total, 17 Americans were killed and their bodies drug through the city and abused. (PIC: American Black Hawk helicopter above Mogadishu). -
ICU Courts form al-Shabaab
From the Islamic Courts Union (ICU), the al-Shabaab branched off as an armed offshoot of the courts system. Al- Shabaab became the radical group of the ICU, and led to a global militant outlook on the group. (PIC: Al-Shabaab militant fighters). -
Mogadishu Falls
Mogadishu, along with most of Southern Somalia, was controlled by the ICU and al-Shabaab. However, the combined forces of Ethopia and the transitional Somalian government (TFG), were able to re-capture the captial city, causing al-Shabaab to flee. (PIC: An aireal view of the Somalian capital Mogadishu). -
African Union Death Threats
Al-Shabaab leaders released a video tape labeled any peacekeepers that enter Somalia as enemies and invaders. They also warned that they would try to kill any of the peacekeepers, which is a sign of the turmoil and the anarchy of the country. This warning, that Somalia is "not a place [to earn] a salary, [but as] a place where you will die" comes as Ethiopia was planning to dispatch peacekeepers into the country. (PIC: Ethiopian peacekeepers). -
Officially Terrorists
Although al-Shabaab was formed before this date, the United States government now placed the group on the Foreign Terrorist Organization group list. Al-Shabaab was also placed in the Specially Designated Global Terrorist category as well. (PIC: Al-Shabaab fighters prove why the group is now officially considered terrorists). -
Al-Shabaab Leader Killed
After an airstrike over central Somalia by U.S. Special Forces, a leader of both al-Shabaab and al-Qaeda has been killed. Aden Hashi Ayro, along with seven others, died in Dhusamareb. (PIC: Aden Hashi Ayro). -
The Battle of Kismayo
The ICU and al-Shabaab were able to sieze control of the Somalian port city of Kismayo after defeating the forces of Barre Hirale. Fighting lasted for 2 days, resulting in approximately 35 deaths, with at least 70 injured. (PIC: Somalia militia outside of Kismayo). -
Ethiopia Withdrawls
After two years of Ethiopian occupation, forces have withdrawn. Power was handed over to the government and moderate Islamists. This led to a collapse of the Somalian federal government, which allowed an increase in al-Shabaab terrorism. (PIC: Ethiopian troops leaving Somalia). -
World Cup Tragedy
Al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for attacks in Uganda during the World Cup, which led to the death of 74 people. This attack is important because it was the first led by al-Shabaab on a foreign nation. Caused by a Ugandan invasion into al-Shabaab territory/ Somalia. This has increased the threat of the group, and other surrounding African nations have been put under the treat of a al-Shabaab led attack. (PIC: A victim of the bombings is carried to a hospital for medical attention). -
Cooperation with Pirates
As al-Shabaab became more and more desperate for funding, ties between Somali pirates and the terrorist group continued to grow stronger. Despite their alliance, the pirates are not members of al-Shabaab; they are used as suppliers for much needed funds. (PIC: A ship attacked by Somali pirates in cahots with al-Shabaab). -
Forming Alliances
Al-Shabaab's leader, Mukhtar Abu Zubair, released a video annoucing their support and alliance with al- Qaeda. The two have been linked together in the past, usually in attacks against Somalian militants. Many experts believe that this was both a boost for the struggling al-Qaeda, and also strategic for al-Shabaab, who had been struggling with opposing Kenyan and Ethopian forces and a loss of internal support due to severe droughts and famine. (PIC: Leader of al-Qaeda annoucing the alliance). -
Al-Shabaab in Minnesota
A Minnesota man, Mahamud Omar, is currently on trial for accounts of recruiting and planning the trips of young Somali immigrants back to Somalia to fight in al-Shabaab. He is accused of recruiting more than 20 men in the past 5 years. Omar is just one of 18 who are being tried for similar cases. (PIC: Mahamud Omar).
