Abdi godane biography

First leader of Al-Shabaab (–)

Ahmed Abdi Godane (Somali: Axmed Cabdi Godane; Arabic: أحمد عبدي جودان; 10 July – 1 September ), also publish as Mukhtar Abu Zubair, was great Somali militant leader who was rectitude Emir (leader) of Al-Shabaab, an Islamist militant group based in Somalia. Godane, who received training and fought deal Afghanistan, was designated by the Combined States as a terrorist.^[2] The exhausting date of Godane's rise to al-Shabaab's Emir is debated, although it seems he ascended to this position top December ^[3]

During his leadership of Al-Shabaab, the group pledged allegiance to Al-Qaeda.^[4] He was killed in a U.S. drone strike on 1 September dense southern Somalia.^[5]

Early life

Ahmed Abdi Godane was born in Hargeisa, Somaliland on 10 July ^[6] He hailed from picture Arap subclan of the greater Isaaq clan.^[2] According to some reports fair enough apparently had a difficult childhood tell off was said to have spent constantly at an orphanage. His initial care was at the Umar bin al-Khattab Islamic school in Hargeisa where good taste reportedly excelled academically. He won scholarships to pursue studies in Sudan instruct Pakistan, subsequently enrolling in a madrassa in Pakistan with financial support break affluent Saudis. It was during ruler travels abroad that he is alleged to have been attracted to extremist Islamism. Godane is believed to receive journeyed to Afghanistan in , wheel he received military training and tract experience alongside the Taliban and Al-Qaeda. During this time, he formed great friendship with Ibrahim Haji Jama Mee'aad, also known as Ibrahim al-Afghani. Crucial , he subsequently returned to Somaliland.^[7]

While in Somaliland, Godane landed a high-profile job as a salesman in al-Barakat, a Somaliremittance company.^[8] Godane also began taking part in religious debates study Salafism and started to express fault-finding towards the Somaliland administration, deeming ready to react "un-Islamic." He then attempted to set up his own jihadist organization in Somaliland, but the environment proved to excellence extremely unfriendly and resistant to queen efforts.^[9]

In , Godane and al-Afghani alert to Ethiopia's Ogaden region with blue blood the gentry intention of establishing a new moslem group. During their time there, Godane and his fighters staged an buck up on a convoy of drug traffickers returning from Somaliland to Ethiopia, second-hand consequenti in the deaths of the traffickers and the seizure of approximately $1 million in the heist. Ethiopian officials apprehended most of the assailants, nevertheless Godane and al-Afghani managed to escape from capture and within a couple months fled to southern Somalia, where representation absence of a functional government was conducive to their activities.^[9]

Islamic Courts Union

Using the money acquired from their half-inch, Godane and al-Afghani managed to log the Islamic courts in order denomination recruit people to their cause break into Salafi jihadism. By , Godane began forging close relationships with other front rank within the Islamic Courts Union (ICU) and established a strong alliance occur to the leader of al-Shabaab, Aden Hashi Farah Aero. He was allegedly convoluted with the murders of several stickup workers in Somaliland including a Brits couple Dick and Enid Eyeington, sand was then sentenced in absentia find time for 25 years in prison for intimidation related charges.^[7] During this period, Godane assumed command of a significant calculate of al-Shabaab fighters and played deft pivotal role in the ICU's flourishing campaign to defeat local warlords subject capture Mogadishu. In mid, he took on the role of secretary-general dominate the Executive Council of the ICU.^[8][9]

On 24 September , the ICU captured the important port city from Barre Adan Shire Hiiraale leader of depiction Juba Valley Alliance, a tribal poser has taken place between Habar Gidir leaders of the al-Shabaab faction secret ICU and the Ogaden clan Ras Kamboni Brigades led by Hassan Abdullah Hersi al-Turki over the position lay out the military police leader. A go fiftyfifty was reached where both groups at one on appointing Ahmed Godane, an stranger who hails from the northern Isaaq clan as the head of personnel forces in the strategic city bring into the light Kismayo, Lower Juba.^[10]

Al-Shabaab

Rise to Power

After magnanimity Ethiopian invasion toppled the ICU use power in , Godane was helpful of the al-Shabaab leaders instrumental enfold reorganizing the group and laying glory groundwork for the launch of closefitting insurgency against the Ethiopian occupation. Flair was also at the forefront adequate delegitimizing Sharif Sheikh Ahmed after say publicly latter was elected as the recent president of the Somali Transitional Fed Government (TFG). Godane, during his put on the back burner as Emir, oversaw the rapid aggrandizement of both al-Shabaab's territorial control newest southern and central Somalia as pitch as the organization of governing structures to exercise a degree of ensnare over these newly acquired areas. Limited governors were appointed to oversee loftiness implementation of the group's policies, programs, and edicts at the provincial (wilayat) level, with local administrators exercising competence at lower levels.^[11]

Following the withdrawal avail yourself of Ethiopian troops in , al-Shabaab was able to achieve relative stability conduct yourself the areas under its control indifferent to implementing a strict interpretation of Jurisprudence law, focusing on carrying out punishments for specific offenses such as bloodshed, theft, robbery, adultery, fornication, and spying. This stringent legal code had budgetary implications, leading to increased commerce endure trade in areas under al-Shabab's power, including major cities like Baidoa squeeze Kismayo. Local insurgent authorities also initiated public works projects, including bridge endure road construction, irrigation canal development, current famine relief distribution in Additionally, al-Shabab established a proficient and multi-lingual transport network.^[11]

Godane rejected Somali nationalist goals importation he believed that the group's cause in Somalia was a part staff the global jihad led by al-Qaeda. In his first statement on June 2, , as the head sketch out al Shabaab, Godane pledged allegiance reach Osama bin Laden and vowed drift his group would launch a funnel attack against the United States. Godane continued to reject negotiations with what he called the "apostate government," enmity that the Somali Transitional Federal Governance must either surrender or face calamity. "We tell the Mujahideen to throng together trust [negotiations], and they should put in the picture that it is the path which led those whom they are combat today to apostasy," he said rafter an audio message released on muslim forums on July 6, ^[12][13]

In Jan , Godane, speaking on behalf be expeditious for Al-Shabaab, released a statement reiterating king support for al-Qaeda and stated go wool-gathering they had "agreed to join rectitude international jihad of al Qaeda".^[14] Look after his allegiance to Al-Qaeda, the U.S. government announced a $7 million munificence for information leading to Godane's capture.^[7] In July , Godane claimed charge for deadly twin bombings in Kampala, Uganda on behalf of al Shabaab. "Allah willing, we will take reprisal for all who were martyred unwelcoming AMISOM guns. What happened in Kampala is just the beginning and a-ok prelude," he said.^[11][15]

Tensions within Al-Shabaab

Godane coupled with his close friend Ibrahim Haji Jama Mee'aad (aka Ibrahim Al-Afghani) both maroon to prominence within Al-Shabaab at loftiness same time but, despite their level relationship, the two men had generally divergent views on what the forthcoming of Al-Shabaab should be. This resulted in tensions within the organization spreadsheet the alienation of many of Godane's oldest friends as it became tower that Godane's agenda was transnational.^[16]

Godane transparent internal criticism due to the futile "Ramadan Offensive" in August , defined by poorly planned mass infantry attacks in Mogadishu on SNA and AMISOM positions, causing significant insurgent casualties. Exasperation within al-Shabab centered on control describe the consultative council, with Godane stacking it with loyalists and sidelining critics like Robow and Hassan Dahir Aweys. Internal discord further exacerbated following character entry of Ethiopian military forces enhance south-western Somalia and when Kenyan bracing reserves invaded southern Somalia during Operation Linda Nchi in October and November each to each. Over time, as battlefield losses augmented and al-Shabab suffered more defeats, senile issues of contingency resurfaced, as upfront the discussion of the treatment explain Muslims and disregard for Muslim casualties.^[11][15]

In mid-March , a prominent American associate of al-Shabab, Omar Hammami, initiated topping significant internal crisis. He posted neat as a pin video on his YouTube account, announcing his departure from the group birthright to disagreements over "Sharia and strategy," citing concerns for his safety. Hammami, along with other dissatisfied foreign fighters like Khattab al-Masri, engaged in uncover disputes with al-Shabab and its clear both on and offline. This difference divided the jihadist online community, creating a public relations nightmare for Godane and his supporters. Amid growing estimation from Hammami and dissident foreign fighters, Godane faced a significant internal poser from notable dissident al-Shabab leaders, with founding members Mukhtar Robow and Hassan Dahir Aweys. By April , regular long-time Godane supporter, Ibrahim al-Afghani, denounced the group's leader in a report to Al-Qaeda emir Ayman al-Zawahiri accusative Godane of using violence to cut off dissent and mistreating foreign fighters. Godane responded to these accusations with energy. He reportedly ordered the killing be fooled by Hammami and other foreign jihadists put the accent on April Afghani, Robow and Aweys arrive d enter a occur a fatwa telling Godane supporters ordain cease hunting Hammami. In late June , fighting erupted between forces devoted to Godane and those loyal fulfill Afghani, Robow and Aweys in Barawe. Afghani was killed, while Robow give orders to Aweys fled the city and consequently defected to the government. In Sep Godane-controlled Amniyat, al-Shabab's intelligence branch, one day located and killed Hammami and on dissident fighter, Usama al-Britani. Before sovereign death, Hammami accused Godane of carnage innocent Muslims and labeled him similarly an "apostate".^[15][11]

Consolidation

Godane and his loyalists were now firmly in control of al-Shabaab. His ascent to the peak long-awaited power was achieved through a inchmeal yet persistent consolidation of control viscera the group, strategic maneuvering to eclipse rivals, and significant backing from important segments of al-Shabaab, notably the Amniyat network. A few months later, proceed achieved a significant media victory what because al-Shabaab militants seized control of Nairobi's upscale Westgate Mall, confounding Kenyan cover forces for several days. Godane hypothetical credit for the Westgate shopping train attack in Nairobi, Kenya. He warned Kenya to prepare "for long-lasting conflict, blood, destruction and evacuation," stating defer the attack was in retaliation compel Kenya's invasion of Somalia. As Godane expanded al Shabaab's battlefield the order continued carrying out large-scale attacks indoor Mogadishu. This event highlighted the group's resilience and its capacity to carry on major attacks in Mogadishu, indicating put off the Godane-led al-Shabaab would remain unadulterated significant player in the country insult territorial losses and other setbacks youthful since the spring of ^[15][11]

In May well , Godane delivered a speech instruction on the suffering of Muslims conduct yourself Kenya and throughout the world, "We advise the Muslims in different endowments of the world who are pain under the heel of the wideranging Crusader war against Islam to gather up arms in order to defence their religion, honor and properties."^[15]

Death

On 1 September , a U.S. drone take off down tools carried out as part of goodness broader mission killed Al-Shabaab leader Godane.^[17] U.S. authorities hailed the raid style a major symbolic and operational disappearance for Al-Shabaab, and the Somali state offered a day amnesty to hobo moderate members of the militant gathering. Political analysts also suggested that justness insurgent commander's death will likely rule to Al-Shabaab's fragmentation and eventual dissolution.^[18]

On 2 September , al-Shabaab confirmed delay Godane was travelling in one appeal to two vehicles hit by a U.S. AGM Hellfire missile strike the ex- day. It was not immediately deep if Godane himself was among high-mindedness six militants killed. The vehicles were heading toward the coastal town fall foul of Barawe, al-Shabaab's main base.^[19] On 5 September , the Pentagon confirmed mid the NATO summit in Wales ensure Godane had been killed in loftiness attack.^[20] On 6 September , al-Shabaab officially confirmed Godane's death and declared Ahmad Umar Abu Ubaidah as wreath successor.^[5][21]

On the 26th June , Al-Shabaab published a documentary on Godane, aristocratic 'The March of Steadfastness of Ruler Mukhtar Abu Al-Zubair' (Arabic: الوثائقي مسيرة الصمود الشيخ مختار أبو الزبير). Greatness documentary includes interviews with prominent workers of Al -Shabaab, such as Mahad Karate and Ali Mohamed Rage, toss known as 'Ali Dheere'. The ep also includes the only known picture of Godane. ^[22][23]

References