Khawaarij impose movement restrictions on own and foreign fighters amid suspicion-fueled divisions within terror group

The Khawaarij have restricted the movements of their own, including foreign fighters among their ranks as suspicion causes deep diviosion within the terror group

Al-Shabaab, the extremist group, has suffered a series of defeats at the hands of government forces, leading to suspicions of sabotage within the group. The ruthless leader Mahad Karate has restricted the movements of top-ranking members, including foreign fighters, as he vies for control of the group. Meanwhile, the group’s current leader, who is seriously ill and on his deathbed, has led to a power vacuum that has further destabilized the group

The restricted movements of the dismissed commanders included many high-ranking members of the Khawaarij group, including Hassan Afgooye, who was based in the Damalay neighborhood of Afgooye district. Among them was comander Hassan, who was one of the commanders trusted with the group’s financial affairs, and was also one of the most senior commanders before the death of Ahmed Godane. Currently, Hassan is under house arrest and cannot move freely in the Jilib district of Middle Jubba region.

Farxaan Kaahiye, who is from the Cadaado district of the Galguduud region, was previously the highest-ranking commander of the militia wing of al-Shabaab. He was responsible for planning and carrying out many attacks that resulted in the loss of innocent lives. He is now restricted in the Jilib district of the Middle Jubba region and is considered one of the most dangerous leaders of the al-Shabaab militants.

Nuur Dheere, who is from the town of Bacaadweyn in Mudug region, is one of the top al-Shabaab fighters. He was previously restricted to Jilib district in Lower Jubba region but is now stationed in the district of Kunyo Barrow in Lower Shabelle region. Similarly, Horjooge Ismaaciil Cosob, who was once a commander for al-Shabaab’s militia wing and responsible for orchestrating attacks and carrying out assassinations in Banadir region, is now restricted to the Middle Jubba region.

When we talk about the Somali fighters who joined the insurgency, there are also foreign fighters who were recruited by the extremist group, Al-Shabaab. One of these foreign fighters is Muse Muhajir, who comes from Mombasa, Kenya. He has been responsible for several attacks in Kenya and is now wanted by the Kenyan authorities. Muhajir is currently a key figure among the Al-Shabaab militants in the lower Juba region, and is considered one of the top targets of both the Kenyan government and the regional governments in Somalia.He is now suspected and restricted, and no longer able to move freely in the Lower Jubba region where he was previously active. The Kenyan government and regional authorities consider him to be one of the top leaders of the Shabaab militants.

Other top ranking Al-Shabaab fighters who are under movement restrictions include Maalin Jinow Barbaar in Bakool and Mohamed Aala Suldan from Buro in Togdheer. These recent steps to oust and restrict Al-Shabaab fighters come as the terror group is facing great losses on the frontlines against the government of Somalia and international allies.

Other top ranking Al-Shabaab fighters who are under movement

restrictions include Maalin Jinow Barbaar in Bakool and Mohamed Aala Suldan from Buro in Togdheer. These recent steps to oust and restrict Al-Shabaab fighters come as the terror group is facing great losses on the frontlines against the government of Somalia and international allies.

The restrictions imposed on some of the top leaders of al-Shabaab, who were once the backbone of the group, have created significant difficulties for them. They cannot meet, travel or even use their phones freely. Most importantly, they cannot even meet their closest associates, their wives who are based in the same area as them, for fear of being discovered by their fellow al-Shabaab members. These restrictions indicate the weakening of al-Shabaab and their loss of control over their own leaders.

Source: Somali National News Agency