Al Qaeda’s top leadership has cut off ties with the militant group al-Shabaab, its affiliate in Somalia and Eastern Africa, a former senior official of the militants says.
Zakariye Ismael Hirsi, the former Intelligence chief of al-Shabaab revealed in an interview that Al-Qaeda that there was no any relations between both sides since the former leader of al-Shabaab, Ahmed Abdi Godane was killed in a US airstrike.
‘’ Al-Qaeda did not send any condolence message to al-Shabaab regarding on the killing of their leader [Ahmed Abdi Godane]…. There is no any kind of formal relations at this moment,’’ he said in a rare interview with the VOA Somali service.
Mr Hersi added that he ‘’doesn’t expect’’ al-Shabaab to merge with the so-called Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS/ISIL), unless the group top leaders split.
But many analysts argue that due to many challenges Al- Shabaab is facing currently, it will move forward to join the so-called Islamic caliphate which has overshadowed Al-Qaeda network due to its harsh actions and drawn media attention. Mr Hersi agreed that al-Shabaab might seek for a foreign relation in the future.
The Somali extremists have not been actively operating in Somalia since losing large territories to the Somali government forces and African Union troops. It no longer controls towns that they used to generate income from though they are still present in large swathes in rural areas.
Horseed Media
Somalia: Al-Qaeda cuts off ties with Al Shabaab, says former militants Intel Chief
Published: April 2, 2015
