Link to article: https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/al-shabaab-attack-somali-military-base-government-forces-fight-back-2022-11-25/
On friday, al Shabaab armed militants assaulted a military compound in the Galgaduud region. This led to violent clashes between the army and allied clans who tried to repel them. The governments forces have made a number of significant territory and battlefield gains over the last 90 days against the al Shabaab forces. clan militias are supporting the government forces in their fight. al Shabaab, which has al Qaeda links and control over large regions of Somalia, has recently lost the village of Qayib to the government and clan militia forces. al Shabaab and the government issued disputed reports, with both sides claiming control over the village. Both sides have frequently given conflicting reports, such as when tallying casualties. al Shabaab, in its fight to overthrow Somalia’s US supported government and replace it with its interpretation of islam, has killed tens of thousands.
This news is important as it means that al Shabaab is losing territory and possibly the war/conflict. Somalia’s government states they knew of the coming assault on the military compound and were able to prepare for it. al Shabaab will need to find the source of this information and stop it if they hope to have success in the future. The conflict appears fairly isolated and should not have major effects on the surrounding populace and states. I wonder if Somalia’s military is being supported financially by the US. Additionally I wonder who Shabaab is being supported militarily or financially by, if they are at all. Somalia’s western backing will likely be very helpful in their fight against al Shabaab.
This relates to our in class discussion of realist and liberal theory. clearly, this conflict supports realist theory as international organisations and laws are virtually nonexistent in this conflict. additionally, It is interesting that the clan militias have chosen to support the government rather than the islamic al Shabaab. It seems likely that the general populace does not support or want islamic religion and law. especially al Shabaab’s strict interpretation. This commonality gives them a reason to fight al Shabaab together.