Why top Al-Shabaab leaders are fighting in Somalia

AFP Photo

NAIROBI, Kenya - The Al-Shabaab group is facing one of the hardest moments in its history, intelligence sources confirmed, following feuding between two top commanders, who have been steering the militants for the last seven years, after the passing on of Ahmed Godane, the former leader.

Godane died in 2015 following a US Africa Command airstrike in Somalia which targeted his hideouts. Since then, Ahmed Diriye alias Abu Ubaida has been in charge of the group, but his grip has waned substantially due to differences with his chief finance controller, Mahad Karate.

The differences between the two nosedived recently after the faction led by Mahad Karate, had some of its members detained by those loyal to Ahmed Diriye alias Abu Ubaida, the Ministry of Defence revealed recently, depicting a picture of a divided group.

Multiple sources confirmed that the divisions triggered a heavily armed confrontation between the Karate faction against Dirie’s in Jilib town and the Hargeisa-Yarey settlement in Middle Jubba, about 400 kilometres south of Mogadishu.

One of the reasons behind the fallout is the group's finances which Mahad Karate is firmly in charge of. According to estimates by the United Nations, Al-Shabaab generates up to $120 million annually through extortion, with $24 million going to the purchase of weapons.

“The imprisonment of Karate’s militants was followed by mayhem,” the ministry statement stated, adding that intra-group rivalry brings the pro-Somali government forces to defeat the terrorists.

“It can be a huge boost for our military to neutralise Al Shabaab militants in the ongoing campaign,” it added.

Also, the deteriorating health of Ahmed Diriye is said to be a key motivation to Mahad Karate, who is keen to take over as the group's Emir. According to sources, it is believed that Diriye is battling chronic diseases and it is highly unlikely he will recover.

Somali government forces in cooperation with local militias known as Mo’awisley and peacekeepers serving under the auspices of the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (Atmis) in collaboration with other international partners have been waging military campaigns against Al Shabaab.

The first phase of the operations is focusing on Hirshabelle and Galmudug, states in Central Somalia. The next phase labelled as Phase 2 will be conducted in the southern states of Jubbaland and South West, The EastAfrican reports.

Al-Shabaab militants are facing onslaught from all frontlines, and quite a number of them have since defected from the group. The group's dwindling financial fortunes is also imminent after the government of Somalia also opted to target their revenue sources.

GAROWE ONLINE