Somalia's Intelligence Agency NISA closes websites linked to Al-Shabaab

MOGADISHU, Somalia - The National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) said it has closed down several websites affiliated with the Al-Shabaab group, in the latest crackdown targeting information dissemination and propaganda which has traditionally acted as an impedance to the war against terrorism.

In a statement on Wednesday, NISA listed 14 websites linked to the group, ordering immediate closure following research that was done a few months ago. The websites are directly linked to the group and have traditionally articulated its agenda.

According to the agency, it took months and involved collecting data, investigating, and identifying people behind the registration of the websites. The websites, it added, were behind the dissemination of information on behalf of the group besides channeling propaganda.

This comes a day after NISA shut down nearly 20 alleged al-Shabaab Whatsapp groups. The WhatsApp groups are believed to have been created by the militants to communicate among them, making it difficult for authorities to effectively fight Al-Shabaab.

Last year, Somalia also closed several Facebook groups and pages believed to be affiliated with the group, in what the government termed as a 'strategy' to cut the militants' outreach using traditional and legacy media coupled with technology.

The al-Shabaab militants have been misusing the media platforms to spread propaganda, making it difficult for security teams to effectively handle them. Some technology, makes the group effectively escape the dragnet set by the security teams.

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud declared total war against al-Shabaab militants and has managed to run the first phase of operations which targeted Galmudug and HirShabelle states. The second phase will focus on Al-Shabaab hideouts in Jubaland and Southwest states.

GAROWE ONLINE