Al Shabaab: An Intriguing Example of Islamist Terror

1359 Words3 Pages

American Media tends to focus on domestic terrorism, but cases of widespread terror are relatively limited in the US. Conversely, in Somalia, terror is the norm, not the exception. In this paper, I’ll begin by talking about our definition of terror in the United States. Then, I’ll analyze Al Shabaab’s role in Somalia as a case study on the impacts of extensive terrorism. Finally, I’ll talk about western responsibility for Somalia’s current troubles and what tactics can be used to bring Al Shabaab’s harsh terror to an end.
Terrorism is an action taken by individuals or an organization seeking to induce social and political changes and/or widespread fear. Typically, it is undertaken by groups who feel they’ve been unable to use conventional political or social means to achieve their ends. Moreover, these groups may lack political power or public support. Consequently, they may find that terrorism is one of few strategies they believe will be effective. The difficulty in defining terrorism is establishing if actions meet these criteria. Every individual has a different view of what is justified, and what is merely terror for terror’s sake. Al Shabaab represents of a group which clearly meets the aforementioned criteria. Al Shabaab has consistently used violence against innocents to further their goal of an Islamist state of Somalia.
As an example of Al – Shabaab successfully using terror to reach their goals we can look to the Westgate Mall attacks in Nairobi in late September 2013. According to the Guardian, in the attack on Westgate mall, “61 civilians died…and…six security officers” (Howden, 2013). During the attack, Al Shabaab took credit on Twitter, and in the words of the Associated Press said “that Somalis have ...

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...-Shabab-video
Retrieved from http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2009/10/28/terrorizing_aid_to_somalia?wp_login_redirect=0
Retrieved from http://www.odihpn.org/humanitarian-exchange-magazine/issue-40/international-policies-and-politics-in-the-humanitarian-crisis-in-somalia
Ross, W. (2013, October 04). In prison with al-shabab: What drives somali militants?. Retrieved from http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-24379013
Walker, J. (2013, September 25). Westgate siege: Al-shabab claims kenyan forces used chemical weapons, buried 137 hostages (video/photos). Retrieved from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/09/25/westgate-siege_n_3986907.html
Watkins, T., Lister, T., Starr, B., Newton, P., McKenzie, D., & Labott, E. (2013, October 07). Al-shabaab grew amid somalia's lawlessness. Retrieved from http://www.cnn.com/2013/09/21/world/africa/somalia-al-shabaab-explainer/

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