Al-Shabaab
The Internationalization of Militant Islamism in Somalia
and the Implications for Radicalisation Processes in Europe
by
Michael Taarnby & Lars Hallundbaek1
The Internationalization of Militant Islamism in Somalia
and the Implications for Radicalisation Processes in Europe
by
Michael Taarnby & Lars Hallundbaek1
Citat:
I våras skrev forskarna Michael Taarnby och Lars Hallundbaek en utmärkt rapport till det danska justitieministeriet, Al-Shabaab – The Internationalization of Militant Islamism in Somalia and the Implications for Radicalisation Processes in Europe, om somalisk terrorism och hur den är kopplad till våra nordliga länder. Här beskrivs den militanta islamismens rötter – och den går långt tillbaka i historien – och här beskrivs kontakterna över sundet i den nordiska somaliska diasporan.
Det är mycket lärorik läsning.
En sak är dock tragisk. I notapparaten så hänvisar forskarna nästan hela tiden till annan forskning eller till etablerade nyhetsmedier. Men i de svenska delarna kommer flera hänvisningar till denna blogg. Smickrande för undertecknad, förvisso, men tyder inte det på att våra svenska nyhetsjournalister är sämre på att rapportera dessa frågor än i andra länder?
http://gudmundson.blogspot.com/2010/11/allt-du-skulle-vilja-veta-om-shabaab.html
Det är mycket lärorik läsning.
En sak är dock tragisk. I notapparaten så hänvisar forskarna nästan hela tiden till annan forskning eller till etablerade nyhetsmedier. Men i de svenska delarna kommer flera hänvisningar till denna blogg. Smickrande för undertecknad, förvisso, men tyder inte det på att våra svenska nyhetsjournalister är sämre på att rapportera dessa frågor än i andra länder?
http://gudmundson.blogspot.com/2010/11/allt-du-skulle-vilja-veta-om-shabaab.html
Citat:
Al-Shabaab has over the past few years emerged as a capable movement with a well-developed global network reaching far into the daily lives of Somalis, not only within the country but also in many countries abroad. Based on the case studies mentioned in this report, it seems fair to conclude that the threat from al-Shabaab has been seriously underestimated, and that the movement has made a conscious move towards the global Jihad. Al-Shabaab’s ideology, religious perspectives, suppression of the population and style of fighting all clearly indicate a close affinity with Salafi-Jihadism. Moreover, this development has projected al-Shabaab even closer to al-Qaeda.
However, the figures from the UK and Scandinavia alone are cause for concern, and it seems an established fact that Europe has emerged as a major recruitment hub in al-Shabaab’s global network.
Recruitment in an almost classical sense has been identified, but also different circumstances, for instance, the often very harsh means of social control applied by al-Shabaab sympathizers residing in Europe. The role of the diaspora in supporting al-Shabaab, whether it is done voluntarily or as the result of coercion, is crucial to the continued existence of this militant movement.
Recent incidents and developments have resulted in consensus among analysts and counter-terrorism officials, that radicalized, westernized Somalis returning from training or fighting in Somalia pose a serious threat. This view is echoed by Somali community leaders in Western countries who warn that it is only a matter of time before radical Somali men successfully target a Western country.
Speaking for an increased threat and further recruitment of foreign fighters;
• Somalia has emerged as one of the most significant new fronts in the global Jihad
• International attention and concern has not been matched with activities in Somalia, and all the fundamental problems persist and some are even getting worse
• Al-Shabaab has become much more hardline over the past three years, and this is partly due to the uncompromising stance of foreign fighters
• The tactical reach and proficiency of al-Shabaab has improved considerably
• Ideological and material support has been extended by al-Qaeda to al-Shabaab
• Continuous and professional propaganda releases have effectively been directed at a vulnerable target group
• Access to Somalia is much easier compared to Iraq or Afghanistan. Infiltration from Europe or North America is relatively easy through resilient recruitment pipelines
• Senior al-Shabaab leaders with a background in Europe or the U.S. may inspire others to join
• Somali diasporas are among the most isolated and vulnerable compared to other migrant groups, and much recruitment has occurred virtually undetected
• Social control mechanisms will continue to prevent al-Shabaab opponents from speaking out or organizing themselves
Speaking against an increased threat and further recruitment of foreign fighters;
• Al-Shabaab’s Salafi-Jihadi ideology is not popular in Somalia or in the diasporas
• A possible merger with al-Qaeda will likely mark the point of no return for al-Shabaab
• There is increasing awareness among Somalis, that al-Shabaab is in fact a terrorist organization, and not just a nationalistic liberation movement
• The stigmatizing effect of being associated with Jihadis is having an impact on Somalis in the diaspora
• Stories are circulating in Somali communities about the real fate of the youngsters who disappeared and how they were trapped or died needlessly
• Local, national and transnational counter radicalization networks are beginning to surface because the communities feel threatened
• The understanding of the threat by intelligence services has improved recently
http://www.justitsministeriet.dk/fileadmin/downloads/Forskning_og_dokumentation/Forskningspulje/Taarnby-rapport.pdf
However, the figures from the UK and Scandinavia alone are cause for concern, and it seems an established fact that Europe has emerged as a major recruitment hub in al-Shabaab’s global network.
Recruitment in an almost classical sense has been identified, but also different circumstances, for instance, the often very harsh means of social control applied by al-Shabaab sympathizers residing in Europe. The role of the diaspora in supporting al-Shabaab, whether it is done voluntarily or as the result of coercion, is crucial to the continued existence of this militant movement.
Recent incidents and developments have resulted in consensus among analysts and counter-terrorism officials, that radicalized, westernized Somalis returning from training or fighting in Somalia pose a serious threat. This view is echoed by Somali community leaders in Western countries who warn that it is only a matter of time before radical Somali men successfully target a Western country.
Speaking for an increased threat and further recruitment of foreign fighters;
• Somalia has emerged as one of the most significant new fronts in the global Jihad
• International attention and concern has not been matched with activities in Somalia, and all the fundamental problems persist and some are even getting worse
• Al-Shabaab has become much more hardline over the past three years, and this is partly due to the uncompromising stance of foreign fighters
• The tactical reach and proficiency of al-Shabaab has improved considerably
• Ideological and material support has been extended by al-Qaeda to al-Shabaab
• Continuous and professional propaganda releases have effectively been directed at a vulnerable target group
• Access to Somalia is much easier compared to Iraq or Afghanistan. Infiltration from Europe or North America is relatively easy through resilient recruitment pipelines
• Senior al-Shabaab leaders with a background in Europe or the U.S. may inspire others to join
• Somali diasporas are among the most isolated and vulnerable compared to other migrant groups, and much recruitment has occurred virtually undetected
• Social control mechanisms will continue to prevent al-Shabaab opponents from speaking out or organizing themselves
Speaking against an increased threat and further recruitment of foreign fighters;
• Al-Shabaab’s Salafi-Jihadi ideology is not popular in Somalia or in the diasporas
• A possible merger with al-Qaeda will likely mark the point of no return for al-Shabaab
• There is increasing awareness among Somalis, that al-Shabaab is in fact a terrorist organization, and not just a nationalistic liberation movement
• The stigmatizing effect of being associated with Jihadis is having an impact on Somalis in the diaspora
• Stories are circulating in Somali communities about the real fate of the youngsters who disappeared and how they were trapped or died needlessly
• Local, national and transnational counter radicalization networks are beginning to surface because the communities feel threatened
• The understanding of the threat by intelligence services has improved recently
http://www.justitsministeriet.dk/fileadmin/downloads/Forskning_og_dokumentation/Forskningspulje/Taarnby-rapport.pdf
