Map Update: Al Shabaab’s Humanitarian Response

Al Shabaab aims to usurp the role of humanitarian providers in order to build popular support and undermine the authority of the Somali Federal Government (SFG) among drought-stricken populations.

Al Shabaab aims to usurp the role of humanitarian providers in order to build popular support and undermine the authority of the Somali Federal Government (SFG) among drought-stricken populations. (AEI's Critical Threats Project)

Three consecutive seasons of poor rainfall caused severe drought conditions that now threaten the lives of more than six million people in Somalia.[1] Al Shabaab has responded to the humanitarian crisis by distributing aid in the most devastated areas of central and southern Somalia. Al Shabaab’s assumption of a humanitarian role marks a shift from its response to the 2011 famine, when it enforced a blanket ban on aid distribution and refused to assist local populations under its control, contributing to more than 250,000 deaths.[2]  Now, the group is challenging SFG and international humanitarian efforts by conducting its own aid operations, as well as attacking aid workers and constructing roadblocks along major supply routes.[3] Al Shabaab’s push to become the sole provider of humanitarian assistance in the areas it controls could strengthen its authority among rural populations. The recent international push for humanitarian and security aid to Somalia may undercut al Shabaab’s expansion strategy.[4] Additional support is unlikely to reverse al Shabaab’s growing influence in the near term, however, especially as the group conducts a complementary military and terrorist campaign alongside its humanitarian effort. An increase in al Shabaab’s control over rural populations would set conditions for the group to contest larger population centers in the medium to long term. A resurgent al Shabaab would threaten the stability of regional U.S. partners like Kenya and Ethiopia and increase the risk of major al Shabaab attacks beyond Somalia’s borders.

Read the prior post, “Al Shabaab’s Humanitarian Response,” for additional context.

Al Shabaab’s Response

Food and water distribution

• March 6 – Lower Shabelle region: Qunyo Barrow.[5]
• March 11 – Mudug region: Adat, Warshubo, Harardhere, Jowlo, Dhalwo, Ris, Galdhabo; Lower Shabelle region: Wanlaweyn, Qoryoley, Kurtunwarey, Sablale, Barawe.[6]
• March 19 – Galgudud region: Elbur.[7]
• March 21 – Lower Shabelle region: Barawe. [8]
• March 25 – Lower Shabelle region: Kurtunwarey, Qoryoley, and Torotorow.[9]
• March 28 – Bay and Bakool regions.[10]
• April 12 – Mudug region: Harardhere, Jowlo, Dumaye, Ris, Dhalwo, Dabagale; Galgudud region: Elbur, Galhareri.[11]
• April 15 – Galgudud region: Gheriale.[12]
• April 28- Galgudud region: Elbur.[13]
• May 24 – Bay region: Bulo Fulay, Rama Adey, Yaq Barawe, Adeile; Bakool region.[14]

Attacks against NGO workers

• March 22 – Gedo region: Red Cross worker killed in Bardhere.[15]
• April 3 – Gedo region: World Health Organization workers abducted near Luuq.[16]
• April 16 – Banadir region: UN World Food Programme convoy ambushed near KM13 junction.[17]
• April 19 – Lower Shabelle region: Emirati Red Crescent convoy ambushed in Garasbaley.[18]

Brian Carpowich contributed research to this report.