Mogadishu, Somalia – In a recent release by the al-Kataib wing of the Al-Shabaab organization, Sheikh Mahad Warsame Abu A/Rahman, a senior leader, delivered a lengthy audio and video speech. In the 38-minute address, he covered a range of topics concerning the ongoing conflict in Somalia and the recent events that have impacted the volatile region.
Sheikh Mahad began by discussing the intense battles waged by the Jihadists against the allied forces in areas such as Cosweyne, Awdheegle, Nur Dugle, and others. He provided intricate details about the Cowsweyne attack, claiming that hundreds of soldiers were killed, and weaponry valued at over $23 million was captured.
Moreover, Sheikh Abu Rahman cautioned the government of Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, asserting that with international backing from the United States and NATO, Al-Shabaab had prevailed in numerous conflicts across South and Central Somalia. He even drew parallels between Al-Shabaab’s victories in Cowsweyne and Awdheegle to those of historical significance, such as Sayid Mohammed Abdulle Hassan’s triumphs in the battles of Agaarweyne, Ruug, and Firhidin, which had been quashed by General Riyad Koofil.
In a noteworthy claim, Sheikh Mahad asserted that Colonel David Haskell, the commander of US operations in the Horn of Africa, directly orchestrated the invasion of Somalia. Throughout his speech, Sheikh Mahad sent messages to various groups, including different nationalities and sections of the Somali population, encompassing scholars, intellectuals, and others.
In the concluding segment of his address, he offered prayers for the victims of a recent massacre that occurred on the outskirts of Eelgaras district, where American troops and Somali militias were alleged to have killed more than six civilians.
This speech by Sheikh Mahad Warsame Abu A/Rahman follows heightened tensions in the region, as security officers have expressed concerns about recent events. The United States has been implicated in a recent airstrike in remote parts of Somalia, which Al-Shabaab claims unfairly targeted civilians. The incident in El-Lahelay on September 6th resulted in the deaths of five civilians, including four children, during a Somali special forces operation that also killed three Al-Shabaab commanders.
Mahad Karate, a high-ranking member of Al-Shabaab, issued a warning in response, promising retribution against the United States for the loss of civilian lives. In a recorded video speech, Karate declared, “We will avenge the death of our people, however long it takes. You have the watches, we have the time.” This rare footage from a senior Al-Shabaab member has prompted a response from the US Africa Command, which denied direct participation in the airstrike, asserting that it had provided “remote” support to the Somali National Army (SNA) during the operation. The airstrike resulted in several injuries, and those wounded were transported to Mogadishu for specialized medical care, as stated by the US Africa Command.
Karate also claimed that Al-Shabaab’s attacks on Cowsweyne (August 26) and Awdhegle (September 10) had significantly crippled the military, ideological, and economic efforts against the group. The extent of the damage inflicted on Somali soldiers in the Cowsweyne attack remains undisclosed, and the government has taken action against some retreating soldiers.
In the ongoing military operation, the government of Somalia, under President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s leadership, has urged locals to join the fight against the militants. Karate, who carries a $10 bounty on his head from the US, hails from Galmudug State, a region that the Somali government is concentrating its military efforts on, with the aim of dislodging Al-Shabaab.
Karate, previously a shadowy figure, has become more visible in recent years, appearing publicly and speaking on camera. He has played a crucial role in managing Al-Shabaab’s intelligence and Amniyat wings. Additionally, he has overseen the group’s finance department, reportedly raising up to $120 million annually, according to records by the State Department. His ambitions to lead the group have been noted, although opinions within Al-Shabaab ranks remain divided, possibly contributing to his previous unsuccessful bid for leadership in September 2014, following the death of former leader Ahmed Abdi Godane in a US airstrike.
