The Al-Shabaab Terrorist Group Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

The Al-Shabaab Terrorist Group - Research Paper Example Al-Shabaab is a militant group composed of Islamist youth with a foundation in Somalia. Al-Shabaab, also referred to as the Mujahideen Youth Movement, was formally recognized by Somalia government in 2012. It is believed that Al-Shabaab is a Somali-based cell of the militant Islamist affiliate of al-Qaeda that controls the larger part of southern Somalia, where is has imposed its own form of Sharia. The number of members in Al-Shabaab militia was estimated to fourteen thousand, four hundred and twenty-six in May 2011. The quarrel between Al-Shabaab and Al-Qaeda over the union leadership caused the spread of Al-Shabaab; Al-Shabaab quickly lost their ground due to widespread disintegration. Members of the Al-Shabaab describe themselves as waging jihadists against non-Muslims whom they refer to as kufaars. The group is engaged in a constant combat against the Transitional Federal Government and the African Union Mission to Somalia. The motive of the Al-Shabaab is to eliminate foreign in terference in Somalia; they thus kidnap, intimidate and kill aid workers to accelerate the suspension of humanitarian operations and an exodus of relief agents. Al-Shabaab is one of the most dangerous groups of the time and it is raising concern throughout the world because of its merciless terrorist activities. Al-Shabaab was initially a representation of the hard-line militant youth that was within the Islamic Courts Union. Currently, Al-Shabaab is described as the extremist splinter group of the Islamic Courts Union.