Strategies for effectively combating Al-Shabaab's threat to America in 2015

Strategic Plan for Effectively Combating Al-Shabaab's Threat to America In 2015

Introduction

To begin this paper, it is only prudent to discuss the background of the selected threat group, Al-Shabaab, to gain a clear perspective about this militant organization. In addition, the discussion will follow to include the possible threats that this group professes to United States. After which, the discussion would relate to the possible strategies that America can undertake to ensure that it remains threat free, from any act of terrorism, by this threat group in the coming years.

Background to the Organization

Formally known as Harakat-al-Shabaab-al-Mujahideen (HSM), Al-Shabaab is a notorious Islamic militant group originating from Somalia in East Africa. Al-Shabaab, meaning The Youth or The Boys in the Arabic language, got established in 2004 as an aftermath of a civil war in Somalia. The meaning of the group's name is strongly reflective of its militant demographic, which largely comprises of young men and teenage boys. The Emir or the leader of this group is Ibrahim-al-Afghani, who has been leading the group since 2010, was first associated with overseeing the financials of the group. The accurate militant strength of the group is still unknown but according to Hanson (2011) the estimated strength is of eight thousand men. Hence, it is most likely that these numbers have grown significantly from then because this estimated figure was noted back in 2009.

Soon after its inception, the group expanded its operations throughout Somalia and currently controls the four central regions, or territories of the country. Although, despite operating through these key regions of Somalia, a United Nations report (2008) highlighted that Al-Shahbaab faces rising friction within its four factions with regard to the chain of command and authority. Conversely, to comment upon the main reasons, which have led to a growth of the group's militant activities, are the constant state of lawlessness in Somalia and the absence of lawful government machinery. These two key factors tremendously have contributed to the emergence of warlords in the country, who later pledged their alliances with Al-Shabaab, hence, increasing their group's strength (Moll & Livermore, 2010).

Nonetheless, the Somali government remains greatly opposed to Al-Shabaab's operations, because of which it has been in the state of a guerilla war with it for several years. This has also resulted in an ongoing civil war between Al-Shabaab and the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia (TFG). Although the progress of the government backed movement of TFG has been slow, but this effort faced appreciation by the international community, on grounds that there is at least one main government backed group taking stern actions against Al-Shabaab.

A strong indication toward the success of TFG can further be assessed in terms of the recent alliance between Al-Qaeda and Al-Shabaab. This alliance aims to strengthen the tactical procedures and increase the militants' base to fight against TFG. However, this further adds immense strain on the Somali government against fighting Al-Shabaab, as of the present time the group ...