Somali terrorist group exaggerates setback as US campaign continues

Al-Qaeda-linked terrorist group al-Shabaab attempted an attack on a US base and its African partners in Somalia but failed to achieve its objective.

The indirect attack took place on September 4 near Kismayo, targeting US and coalition forces.

No personnel were harmed, and no damage was reported to the base or coalition property.

Despite the failure, al-Shabaab sought to exaggerate the incident through false claims, portraying it as a success to its supporters.

Following the failed attack, US Africa Command (AFRICOM) announced that US forces in Africa will continue working with African partners to reduce terrorist threats and improve security across the continent.

AFRICOM also reaffirmed that, alongside the Somali government and armed forces, it will continue efforts to weaken al-Shabaab’s ability to plan or conduct attacks against the United States, its military personnel, or citizens abroad.

'A major blow to al-Qaeda'

Analysts say this disinformation campaign by al-Shabaab has badly damaged the group’s credibility among both supporters and rivals.

Nezamuddin Kabiri, a political analyst in Kabul, described the failed al-Shabaab operation as a major setback not only for the group itself but also for al-Qaeda.

"The recent attack highlights al-Qaeda’s military weakness and shows that al-Shabaab is not as powerful as it claims," he told Salaam Times.

"While al-Shabaab is recognized as a relatively capable branch of al-Qaeda, it has exaggerated its activities and is, in practice, a very weak group," he added.

"Even their retaliatory attacks have failed, and this is a major blow to Al-Qaeda," he said.

The propaganda and exaggeration of al-Shabaab’s failed attacks is not an achievement for the group, rather, it has significantly weakened its standing and credibility among its supporters, Kabiri said.

Weakening al-Qaeda affiliates

The decline of groups like al-Shabaab strengthens international determination to fight terrorism, said Muhammad Kazem Hosseini, a political analyst in Kabul.

"Years of counterterrorism efforts have weakened terrorist groups worldwide, especially in Africa and al-Shabaab has suffered heavily from repeated attacks over the past year," he said.

"Combating al-Qaeda and other terrorist groups is not the responsibility of the United States alone, all countries must take practical action against this terrorist organization," he added.

Hosseini warned that Al-Qaeda affiliates in Africa remain "a serious global security threat" and called for increased air and ground operations against them.

"Once powerful and controlling large areas, al-Shabaab’s operational territory has now shrunk significantly," said Muhammad Naseem Haidari, a military analyst in Herat.

"Al-Qaeda and its affiliates are not as strong as they claim in their propaganda. If current counterterrorism efforts continue, these groups could soon disappear."

"Terrorist groups are gradually losing credibility and influence. As they lose popular support, they will have fewer safe havens and operational space," Haidari said.