Genocide In Somalia
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF THE SOMALI ATROCITIES
The precursor to the al-Shabaab was the Al-Ittihad Al-Islami, or “Unity of Islam.” This Salafi extremist group wanted to return to early Islam, and they took control of Somali in the 1990s. They even got some of their funds and guns from al-Qaeda leader, Osama bin Laden. Furthermore, the group started to become divided in 2003 after the old guard wanted to create a new political front, while the younger members longed for the creation of a “Greater Somalia.” This prompted the devoted ones to join forces with Sharia Courts, creating the Islamic Courts Union. They were the youth militia and they battled the al-Shabaab in 2006 for control of the capital, Mogadishu. The Christian nation, Ethiopia, was …show more content…
Specifically, the al-Shabaab controls many rural areas in Juba, Shabelle, Bay, and Bakol regions. In 2011 and 2012, they began to become more present in Somalia’s northern regions, by the Golis Mountains. They are also active in Puntland, an urban area of Somalia. Overall, they are fighting for complete control over Somalia, and to extend their power, influence, and ideals.
WHO WERE THE ALLEGED TARGETS OF THIS EVENT AND WHY?
One of the alleged targets was the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) peacekeepers. They went after them because they supported the Federal Government of Somalia, which is the group the al-Shabaab is fighting against. Moreover, another one of their targets was Somali government officials and Ethiopian military forces in an attempt to keep their control over parts of Somalia. Finally, Somali citizens are getting caught in the crossfire because the al-Shabaab is mistreating them in an attempt to kill those who have opposing political views or ideas, and forcing the rest to join their organization.
WHAT TYPE OF GROUP ARE THE TARGETS AND WOULD IT FIT INTO THE U.N. GENOCIDE DEFINITION OF TYPES OF
The precursor to the al-Shabaab was the Al-Ittihad Al-Islami, or “Unity of Islam.” This Salafi extremist group wanted to return to early Islam, and they took control of Somali in the 1990s. They even got some of their funds and guns from al-Qaeda leader, Osama bin Laden. Furthermore, the group started to become divided in 2003 after the old guard wanted to create a new political front, while the younger members longed for the creation of a “Greater Somalia.” This prompted the devoted ones to join forces with Sharia Courts, creating the Islamic Courts Union. They were the youth militia and they battled the al-Shabaab in 2006 for control of the capital, Mogadishu. The Christian nation, Ethiopia, was …show more content…
Specifically, the al-Shabaab controls many rural areas in Juba, Shabelle, Bay, and Bakol regions. In 2011 and 2012, they began to become more present in Somalia’s northern regions, by the Golis Mountains. They are also active in Puntland, an urban area of Somalia. Overall, they are fighting for complete control over Somalia, and to extend their power, influence, and ideals.
WHO WERE THE ALLEGED TARGETS OF THIS EVENT AND WHY?
One of the alleged targets was the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) peacekeepers. They went after them because they supported the Federal Government of Somalia, which is the group the al-Shabaab is fighting against. Moreover, another one of their targets was Somali government officials and Ethiopian military forces in an attempt to keep their control over parts of Somalia. Finally, Somali citizens are getting caught in the crossfire because the al-Shabaab is mistreating them in an attempt to kill those who have opposing political views or ideas, and forcing the rest to join their organization.
WHAT TYPE OF GROUP ARE THE TARGETS AND WOULD IT FIT INTO THE U.N. GENOCIDE DEFINITION OF TYPES OF