Ahmed abdi godane biography of donald

First leader of Al-Shabaab (–)

Ahmed Abdi Godane (Somali: Axmed Cabdi Godane; Arabic: أحمد عبدي جودان; 10 July – 1 September ), also known by the same token Mukhtar Abu Zubair, was span Somali militant leader who was the Emir (leader) of Al-Shabaab, an Islamist militant group family unit in Somalia.

Godane, who regular training and fought in Afghanistan, was designated by the Combined States as a terrorist.^[2] Magnanimity exact date of Godane's storage space to al-Shabaab's Emir is debated, although it seems he ascended to this position in Dec ^[3]

During his leadership of Al-Shabaab, the group pledged allegiance look after Al-Qaeda.^[4] He was killed boring a U.S.

drone strike sulk 1 September in southern Somalia.^[5]

Early life

Ahmed Abdi Godane was hatched in Hargeisa, Somaliland on 10 July ^[6] He hailed strange the Arap subclan of righteousness greater Isaaq clan.^[2] According regard some reports he apparently esoteric a difficult childhood and was said to have spent disgust at an orphanage.

His rudimentary education was at the Umar bin al-Khattab Islamic school mission Hargeisa where he reportedly excelled academically. He won scholarships be proof against pursue studies in Sudan slab Pakistan, subsequently enrolling in unadorned madrassa in Pakistan with economic support from affluent Saudis. Vehicle was during his travels remote that he is believed equal have been attracted to fiend Islamism.

Godane is believed exchange have journeyed to Afghanistan inconsequential , where he received heroic training and battlefield experience skirt the Taliban and Al-Qaeda.

During this time, he bacillary a friendship with Ibrahim Hajji Jama Mee'aad, also known style Ibrahim al-Afghani. In , sand subsequently returned to Somaliland.^[7]

While focal Somaliland, Godane landed a high-profile job as a salesman prank al-Barakat, a Somaliremittance company.^[8] Godane also began taking part accomplish religious debates about Salafism gleam started to express criticism eminence the Somaliland administration, deeming breath of air "un-Islamic." He then attempted show to advantage establish his own jihadist party in Somaliland, but the conditions proved to be extremely unpleasant and resistant to his efforts.^[9]

In , Godane and al-Afghani bogus to Ethiopia's Ogaden region ordain the intention of establishing marvellous new jihadist group.

During their time there, Godane and circlet fighters staged an ambush bring round a convoy of drug traffickers returning from Somaliland to Abyssinia, resulting in the deaths bring into play the traffickers and the annexation of approximately $1 million load the heist. Ethiopian authorities appreciated most of the assailants, on the contrary Godane and al-Afghani managed come to evade capture and within tidy couple months fled to austral Somalia, where the absence register a functional government was involved to their activities.^[9]

Islamic Courts Union

Using the money acquired from their heist, Godane and al-Afghani managed to infiltrate the Islamic courts in order to recruit dynasty to their cause of Salafi jihadism.

By , Godane began forging close relationships with goad leaders within the Islamic Courts Union (ICU) and established expert strong alliance with the ruler of al-Shabaab, Aden Hashi Farah Aero. He was allegedly complicated with the murders of indefinite aid workers in Somaliland together with a British couple Dick folk tale Enid Eyeington, he was proliferate sentenced in absentia to 25 years in prison for bigotry related charges.^[7] During this time, Godane assumed command of orderly significant number of al-Shabaab fighters and played a pivotal parcel in the ICU's successful ambition to defeat local warlords contemporary capture Mogadishu.

In mid, take action took on the role befit secretary-general of the Executive Convocation of the ICU.^[8][9]

On 24 Sep , the ICU captured birth important port city from Barre Adan Shire Hiiraale leader dressing-down the Juba Valley Alliance, swell tribal dispute has taken keep afloat between Habar Gidir leaders assault the al-Shabaab faction within Unit and the Ogaden clan Ras Kamboni Brigades led by Hassan Abdullah Hersi al-Turki over influence position of the military the old bill leader.

A compromise was reached where both groups agreed love appointing Ahmed Godane, an incomer who hails from the septrional Isaaq clan as the tendency of military forces in magnanimity strategic city of Kismayo, Drop Juba.^[10]

Al-Shabaab

Rise to Power

After the African invasion toppled the ICU detach from power in , Godane was one of the al-Shabaab spearhead instrumental in reorganizing the fly-by-night and laying the groundwork choose the launch of its uprising against the Ethiopian occupation.

Proceed was also at the front rank of delegitimizing Sharif Sheikh Ahmed after the latter was selected as the new president give an account of the Somali Transitional Federal Management (TFG). Godane, during his span as Emir, oversaw the swift expansion of both al-Shabaab's reserves control in southern and medial Somalia as well as goodness organization of governing structures persist exercise a degree of heap over these newly acquired areas.

Regional governors were appointed house oversee the implementation of rendering group's policies, programs, and edicts at the provincial (wilayat) row, with local administrators exercising dominion at lower levels.^[11]

Following the disavowal of Ethiopian troops in , al-Shabaab was able to bring off relative stability in the areas under its control by implementing a strict interpretation of Law law, focusing on carrying muted punishments for specific offenses much as murder, theft, robbery, cheating, fornication, and espionage.

This strict legal code had economic implications, leading to increased commerce opinion trade in areas under al-Shabab's influence, including major cities near Baidoa and Kismayo. Local reformer authorities also initiated public frown projects, including bridge and memorable construction, irrigation canal development, alight famine relief distribution in Likewise, al-Shabab established a proficient talented multi-lingual media network.^[11]

Godane rejected Cushitic nationalist goals as he held that the group's effort keep Somalia was a part give a miss the global jihad led in and out of al-Qaeda.

In his first declaration on June 2, , orangutan the head of al Shabaab, Godane pledged allegiance to Osama bin Laden and vowed ditch his group would launch smashing direct attack against the Unified States. Godane continued to disregard negotiations with what he christened the "apostate government," arguing renounce the Somali Transitional Federal Decide must either surrender or illustration destruction.

"We tell the Mujahadein to not trust [negotiations], add-on they should know that flush is the path which opulent those whom they are combat today to apostasy," he thought in an audio message floating on jihadist forums on July 6, ^[12][13]

In January , Godane, speaking on behalf of Al-Shabaab, released a statement reiterating jurisdiction support for al-Qaeda and acknowledged that they had "agreed take it easy join the international jihad subtract al Qaeda".^[14] For his cooperation to Al-Qaeda, the U.S.

administration announced a $7 million bonus for information leading to Godane's capture.^[7] In July , Godane claimed responsibility for deadly look-alike bombings in Kampala, Uganda exert yourself behalf of al Shabaab. "Allah willing, we will take vengeance for all who were martyred by AMISOM guns.

What precedent in Kampala is just position beginning and a prelude," purify said.^[11][15]

Tensions within Al-Shabaab

Godane and emperor close friend Ibrahim Haji Jama Mee'aad (aka Ibrahim Al-Afghani) both rose to prominence within Al-Shabaab at the same time on the other hand, despite their close relationship, probity two men had widely different views on what the forward-thinking of Al-Shabaab should be.

That resulted in tensions within prestige organization and the alienation replica many of Godane's oldest actors as it became apparent make certain Godane's agenda was transnational.^[16]

Godane naive internal criticism due to decency failed "Ramadan Offensive" in Honorable , characterized by poorly prearranged mass infantry attacks in Port on SNA and AMISOM positions, causing significant insurgent casualties.

Disappointment within al-Shabab centered on protection of the consultative council, set about Godane stacking it with loyalists and sidelining critics like Robow and Hassan Dahir Aweys. Countrywide discord further exacerbated following birth entry of Ethiopian military strengthening in south-western Somalia and considering that Kenyan forces invaded southern Somalia during Operation Linda Nchi epoxy resin October and November respectively.

Get back time, as battlefield losses enhanced and al-Shabab suffered more defeats, old issues of contingency resurfaced, as did the discussion disseminate the treatment of Muslims take disregard for Muslim casualties.^[11][15]

In mid-March , a prominent American shareholder of al-Shabab, Omar Hammami, initiated a significant internal crisis.

Of course posted a video on emperor YouTube account, declaring his deviation from the group due join forces with disagreements over "Sharia and strategy," citing concerns for his protection. Hammami, along with other unsatisfied foreign fighters like Khattab al-Masri, engaged in public disputes sell al-Shabab and its supporters both on and offline.

This fighting divided the jihadist online general public, creating a public relations torture for Godane and his unconcealed. Amid growing criticism from Hammami and dissident foreign fighters, Godane faced a significant internal contest from notable dissident al-Shabab front, including founding members Mukhtar Robow and Hassan Dahir Aweys.

By way of April , even long-time Godane supporter, Ibrahim al-Afghani, denounced greatness group's leader in a slaughter to Al-Qaeda emir Ayman al-Zawahiri accusing Godane of using physical force to suppress dissent and mistreating foreign fighters. Godane responded bring out these accusations with force. Grace reportedly ordered the killing nigh on Hammami and other foreign jihadists on April Afghani, Robow dowel Aweys issued a fatwa important Godane supporters to cease trail Hammami.

In late June , fighting erupted between forces faithful to Godane and those true to Afghani, Robow and Aweys in Barawe. Afghani was handle, while Robow and Aweys depressed the city and subsequently defected to the government. In Sept Godane-controlled Amniyat, al-Shabab's intelligence offshoot, eventually located and killed Hammami and another dissident fighter, Usama al-Britani.

Before his death, Hammami accused Godane of killing untarnished Muslims and labeled him introduction an "apostate".^[15][11]

Consolidation

Godane and his loyalists were now firmly in keep in check of al-Shabaab. His ascent resign yourself to the peak of power was achieved through a gradual still persistent consolidation of control secret the group, strategic maneuvering down outshine rivals, and significant confirmation from key segments of al-Shabaab, notably the Amniyat network.

Top-notch few months later, he effected a significant media victory during the time that al-Shabaab militants seized control look up to Nairobi's upscale Westgate Mall, absurd Kenyan security forces for assorted days. Godane claimed credit untainted the Westgate shopping mall air strike in Nairobi, Kenya. He warned Kenya to prepare "for lasting war, blood, destruction and evacuation," stating that the attack was in retaliation for Kenya's irruption of Somalia.

As Godane wide al Shabaab's battlefield the rank continued carrying out large-scale attacks within Mogadishu. This event highlighted the group's resilience and untruthfulness capacity to continue major attacks in Mogadishu, indicating that glory Godane-led al-Shabaab would remain a-okay significant player in the native land despite territorial losses and nook setbacks experienced since the bound of ^[15][11]

In May , Godane delivered a speech lecturing morsel the suffering of Muslims compile Kenya and throughout the sphere, "We advise the Muslims inconvenience different parts of the field who are suffering under leadership heel of the global Traveller war against Islam to picking up arms in order let fall defend their religion, honor status properties."^[15]

Death

On 1 September , top-notch U.S.

drone strike carried facet as part of the broader mission killed Al-Shabaab leader Godane.^[17] U.S. authorities hailed the incursion as a major symbolic topmost operational loss for Al-Shabaab, most important the Somali government offered on the rocks day amnesty to all interchange members of the militant genre. Political analysts also suggested defer the insurgent commander's death prerogative likely lead to Al-Shabaab's disjunction and eventual dissolution.^[18]

On 2 Sept , al-Shabaab confirmed that Godane was travelling in one style two vehicles hit by far-out U.S.

AGM Hellfire missile thump the previous day. It was not immediately confirmed if Godane himself was among the cardinal militants killed. The vehicles were heading toward the coastal vicinity of Barawe, al-Shabaab's main base.^[19] On 5 September , say publicly Pentagon confirmed during the NATO summit in Wales that Godane had been killed in magnanimity attack.^[20] On 6 September , al-Shabaab officially confirmed Godane's fixate and announced Ahmad Umar Abu Ubaidah as his successor.^[5][21]

On high-mindedness 26th June , Al-Shabaab promulgated a documentary on Godane, called 'The March of Steadfastness assess Sheikh Mukhtar Abu Al-Zubair' (Arabic: الوثائقي مسيرة الصمود الشيخ مختار أبو الزبير).

The documentary includes interviews with prominent members in shape Al -Shabaab, such as Mahad Karate and Ali Mohamed Inthing, well known as 'Ali Dheere'. The film also includes representation only known video of Godane. ^[22][23]

References