Analysis reading between the lines of al shabab statement on kenya attack

Al-Shabaab, a militant Islamist group affiliated with al-Qaeda, released a statement on January 15, 2020, claiming responsibility for the attack on a hotel complex in Nairobi, Kenya, which killed at least 21 people and injured many more. The statement, which was released on the group's official Telegram channel, provides valuable insights into the group's motivations, tactics, and ideology. Here's an analysis of the statement, reading between the lines:

Motivations:

  1. Anti-Western sentiment: The statement emphasizes the group's opposition to Western presence in Somalia and Kenya, citing the presence of "Crusader forces" and "infidel governments" in the region. This suggests that the attack was motivated by a desire to drive out Western influence and establish an Islamic state in the region.
  2. Revenge for past attacks: The statement mentions the group's previous attacks on Kenyan targets, including the Westgate Mall attack in 2013, which killed over 60 people. This implies that the attack was intended as revenge for past attacks and to demonstrate the group's ability to strike at Kenyan targets.
  3. Protection of Muslim civilians: The statement claims that the attack was carried out to protect Muslim civilians from "Crusader aggression" and to defend the honor of the Prophet Muhammad. This suggests that the group sees itself as a defender of Islam and Muslims, and that its actions are justified as a means of protecting its community.

Tactics:

  1. Use of suicide bombers: The statement highlights the use of suicide bombers in the attack, which is a tactic commonly employed by Al-Shabaab. This suggests that the group is willing to sacrifice its own members in order to achieve its goals.
  2. Targeting of soft targets: The attack on the hotel complex, which was a soft target, suggests that the group is willing to target vulnerable areas in order to inflict maximum casualties.
  3. Use of propaganda: The statement includes graphic images and videos of the attack, which is a common tactic used by Al-Shabaab to spread fear and propaganda.

Ideology:

  1. Salafist ideology: The statement reflects a Salafist ideology, which emphasizes the importance of following the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad and the early Muslim community. This suggests that the group sees itself as a defender of Islamic orthodoxy and is willing to use violence to achieve its goals.
  2. Anti-Western and anti-Christian sentiment: The statement's anti-Western and anti-Christian rhetoric suggests that the group sees itself as engaged in a broader struggle against Western influence and Christian presence in the region.
  3. Emphasis on martyrdom: The statement emphasizes the importance of martyrdom and the willingness of Al-Shabaab fighters to sacrifice themselves for the cause. This suggests that the group sees itself as a vanguard of Islam and is willing to make sacrifices in order to achieve its goals.

Conclusion:

The Al-Shabaab statement on the Nairobi hotel attack provides valuable insights into the group's motivations, tactics, and ideology. The statement reflects a Salafist ideology, anti-Western and anti-Christian sentiment, and an emphasis on martyrdom. The group's willingness to use suicide bombers, target soft targets, and spread propaganda suggests that it is a highly effective and ruthless organization. The statement also highlights the group's desire to drive out Western influence and establish an Islamic state in the region, which suggests that the conflict in Somalia and Kenya is likely to continue for the foreseeable future.