Countering the al-Shabaab Insurgency in Somalia: Lessons for U.S. Special Operations Forces - Mogadishu, Somali Terrorism, al-Qaeda, Relations with Ethiopia and Kenya

Nonfiction, History, Africa, Military
Cover of the book Countering the al-Shabaab Insurgency in Somalia: Lessons for U.S. Special Operations Forces - Mogadishu, Somali Terrorism, al-Qaeda, Relations with Ethiopia and Kenya by Progressive Management, Progressive Management
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Progressive Management ISBN: 9781311937919
Publisher: Progressive Management Publication: May 3, 2014
Imprint: Smashwords Edition Language: English
Author: Progressive Management
ISBN: 9781311937919
Publisher: Progressive Management
Publication: May 3, 2014
Imprint: Smashwords Edition
Language: English

It is commonly understood that a legitimate indigenous government is the sine qua non for any successful counterinsurgency campaign. This monograph, published in February 2014, is designed to serve as a tactical document for members of the special operations community outlining the way in which the international community and AMISOM can best support the Somali Federal Government now that the anti-Shabaab coalition's respective governments have made the decision to do so. It does not attempt to establish whether the policy decision to support the government is correct, as that is a question influenced by a complex set of factors beyond the scope of this document. It assumes that policymakers have calculated that the government can achieve legitimacy, and so operates under the assumption that the policy decision is correct. It further acknowledges that Somalia faces challenges to peace and stability beyond al-Shabaab—the focus of this monograph is on how to wage a counterinsurgency campaign against the group, but there are other thorny challenges beyond the insurgency that also must be addressed before the country will become stable.

This work provides a meaningful context to al-Shabaab and the Somali milieu. Al Shabaab has been pushed from all of its major strongholds by a robust international effort, and its violent Salafism has alienated many Somalis. But it still has teeth. It continues to harass coalition forces, as well as ordinary Somalis, with improvised explosive devices, suicide bombings, and assassinations. Its tactics reflect a strategic decision made by its leadership to fight a guerrilla war, a familiar role for a group that thrived by waging an anti-Ethiopian insurgency in the mid-2000s.

The work points out that the coalition has not responded with a coherent counterinsurgency campaign dedicated to maintaining and winning Somalis' support. All indications are that it failed to properly plan the best way to fight al-Shabaab's evolution, and it has made its task harder by committing a series of mistakes. Most grievously, Kenya has involved itself in tribal politics in Lower Juba, and appears to be picking favorites in a country infamous for its violent and oftentimes inscrutable clan dynamics.

Lasting peace for a unified Somalia hinges on the establishment of a highly-decentralized but viable and effective indigenous government. But some members of the coalition appear intent on pursuing their own national interests instead. Such a disunified approach badly damages the new government's legitimacy, and makes it impossible to implement a coherent counterinsurgency strategy. The government, for its part, has made little progress in breaking from the corruption and ineffectiveness that so hobbled its predecessors. It is a golden chance for al-Shabaab to pick itself up off the mat.

  1. A Brief History of Somalia and al-Shabaab * 2. Al-Shabaab Funding and Recruitment * 3. The Diminishment and Evolution of al-Shabaab * 4. The Challenges of Counterinsurgency in Somalia * 5. Assessing Counterinsurgency Efforts in Somalia * 6. Concluding Thoughts and Lessons for SOF
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

It is commonly understood that a legitimate indigenous government is the sine qua non for any successful counterinsurgency campaign. This monograph, published in February 2014, is designed to serve as a tactical document for members of the special operations community outlining the way in which the international community and AMISOM can best support the Somali Federal Government now that the anti-Shabaab coalition's respective governments have made the decision to do so. It does not attempt to establish whether the policy decision to support the government is correct, as that is a question influenced by a complex set of factors beyond the scope of this document. It assumes that policymakers have calculated that the government can achieve legitimacy, and so operates under the assumption that the policy decision is correct. It further acknowledges that Somalia faces challenges to peace and stability beyond al-Shabaab—the focus of this monograph is on how to wage a counterinsurgency campaign against the group, but there are other thorny challenges beyond the insurgency that also must be addressed before the country will become stable.

This work provides a meaningful context to al-Shabaab and the Somali milieu. Al Shabaab has been pushed from all of its major strongholds by a robust international effort, and its violent Salafism has alienated many Somalis. But it still has teeth. It continues to harass coalition forces, as well as ordinary Somalis, with improvised explosive devices, suicide bombings, and assassinations. Its tactics reflect a strategic decision made by its leadership to fight a guerrilla war, a familiar role for a group that thrived by waging an anti-Ethiopian insurgency in the mid-2000s.

The work points out that the coalition has not responded with a coherent counterinsurgency campaign dedicated to maintaining and winning Somalis' support. All indications are that it failed to properly plan the best way to fight al-Shabaab's evolution, and it has made its task harder by committing a series of mistakes. Most grievously, Kenya has involved itself in tribal politics in Lower Juba, and appears to be picking favorites in a country infamous for its violent and oftentimes inscrutable clan dynamics.

Lasting peace for a unified Somalia hinges on the establishment of a highly-decentralized but viable and effective indigenous government. But some members of the coalition appear intent on pursuing their own national interests instead. Such a disunified approach badly damages the new government's legitimacy, and makes it impossible to implement a coherent counterinsurgency strategy. The government, for its part, has made little progress in breaking from the corruption and ineffectiveness that so hobbled its predecessors. It is a golden chance for al-Shabaab to pick itself up off the mat.

  1. A Brief History of Somalia and al-Shabaab * 2. Al-Shabaab Funding and Recruitment * 3. The Diminishment and Evolution of al-Shabaab * 4. The Challenges of Counterinsurgency in Somalia * 5. Assessing Counterinsurgency Efforts in Somalia * 6. Concluding Thoughts and Lessons for SOF

More books from Progressive Management

Cover of the book 21st Century FEMA Study Course: Livestock in Disasters (IS-111) - For Farmers, Extension Agents - Cattle, Pigs, Poultry, Floods, Storms by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Apollo and America's Moon Landing Program: Project Apollo: A Retrospective Analysis - A Narrative Account Starting with the Kennedy Decision, Monograph in Aerospace History by Progressive Management
Cover of the book 21st Century U.S. Military Manuals: Opposing Force Doctrinal Framework and Strategy Field Manual - FM 7-100 (Value-Added Professional Format Series) by Progressive Management
Cover of the book 21st Century FEMA Study Course: Military Resources in Emergency Management (IS-75), Defense Support of Civil Authorities, Useful Military Capabilities, NRF and NIMS by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Eisenhower: The Suez Crisis - An Appraisal of Presidential Leadership, The Aswan Dam Problem, Diplomatic Marathon, Outbreak of War, Alliance with Britain and France in Peril, Final Resolution by Progressive Management
Cover of the book The Spoken Word: Recollections of Dryden History, The Early Years (NASA SP-2003-4530) - Scott Crossfield Interview, Muroc, NACA Research, X-1 Project by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Evidence Based Assessment of Public Health Planning: A Case Study of the 2014 Crisis in Ukraine - Case Study of Mortality, Tuberculosis (TB), and Cholera Metrics During Armed Conflict by Progressive Management
Cover of the book 21st Century FEMA Study Course: Emergency Support Function #7 Logistics Management and Resource Support (IS-807) - Material, Transportation, Facilities, Personal Property by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Eisenhower: Decision-making and Consensus in an Unfamiliar Context – Cold War Policy, the International Environment, National Security Council (NSC), Project Solarium Planning Exercise by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Wind Tunnels of NASA: History of Their Contribution to Flight Science from the Wright Brothers to the Shuttle, Current NASA Facilities for Aircraft and Spacecraft Tests by Progressive Management
Cover of the book From Transformation to Combat: The First Stryker Brigade at War - The Test of Combat in Iraq in 2003 - 2004, Mosul, Baghdad, An Najaf, Tall Afar, Carter Ham by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Army Research Laboratory Technical Report: A Summary of Visual Gaze and Dwell Times for Army Pilots During Mission Simulations (ARL-TR-5900) Army Aviation Simulators by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Ecuador: A Low-Threat Environment for Drug Trafficking - Cocaine Trade, Rafael Correa, Cartels, Andes Narcotics, Mexico, Transnational Crime Organizations, U.S.-Ecuadorian Relations, Money Laundering by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Nanoscience and Nanotechnology: A Review of Research in the Field of Nanorobotics - Biologically Inspired Nanorobots, Nanomanipulation, Nanosoldering, Nanotweezers by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Expeditionary Logistics: How the Marine Corps Supports its Expeditionary Operations, Warning Order, Course of Action, Minimize Wasteful Logistics Practices During Sustained Operations by Progressive Management
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy