Recent events in the Al-Shabaab militant group and their increasing involvement of women highlights a disturbing shift in dynamics. For centuries, the global battle against terrorism has often been associated with male-dominated networks and activities.
The rise of Al-Shabaab wives in Somalia is worrying as these wives are often used to aid out in terrorism under the guise of vulnerable people in society. Photo| Courtesy
As the world watches the aftermath of the Taliban’s resurgence in Afghanistan, attention should also be turned to the escalating role of women within Al-Shabaab.
Somali Court Arraigns Four Women for Aiding Al-Shabaab
The case of four women – Khadia Mohamed Isse, Aisha Muhyadin Mohamud, Zahra Hussein Isse, and Naima Farah Sheikhdoon shows the extent to which women are now actively involved in the group’s activities.
The four women were arrested for attempting to deliver explosives and providing false information to security officers on April 21, 2023. These women alongside their driver were intercepted on their way from Kunyo Burrow, with bags full of explosives.
It is alleged that the women were from meeting their husbands, who are terrorists in the Al-Shabaab-controlled agricultural town. However, the driver confessed that he was instructed to deliver the consignment to a businessman in Bakara market, the largest trading center in Mogadishu.
The four Al-Shabaab wives were arranged in a Somali Criminal Court. Source| Daily Nation
On August 8, these women were tried in a Somali military court as terrorism suspects. According to reports, all four women are married to Al-Shabaab members. They were accused of aiding Al-Shabaab leaders in the lower Shabelle region, south of Somalia.
One of them argued that being the wife of an Al-Shabaab militant did not grant her access to the group’s information. However, another denied all accusations arguing that her husband could be working for anyone, including the government.
The prosecutor in charge of the case asked that the women be detained without release as they knowingly aided terrorists. The prosecutor asked for a maximum sentence for all four women.
“I ask the Honorable court to impose the most severe sentences so that it sets a good example of what can be expected of an accomplice to terrorism.”
Prosecutor
The Manipulation of Vulnerability
Al-Shabaab has historically preyed on societal vulnerabilities. In the recent past, they would kill husbands and sons in society and exploit women’s and girls’ hardships by forcibly marrying them to its fighters.
These women were tamed and controlled on all grounds. In 2010, the Al-Shabaab seized the Bakara market and set checkpoints to see if women were putting on bras.
Fortunately, these practices were halted after the African Union forces drove the militants out of the capital. Unfortunately, girls and women in other regions that are still under Al-Shabaab rule are fully controlled.
Although once indoctrinated, they become key players in oiling out the group’s violent ideology. They are manipulated into performing tasks that range from transporting weapons to storing explosives.
“Women can either be manupulated or forced to serve the movement in many ways. Parents are forced to let their girls married off to Somali militants or to the so-called migrant jihadists. Once they become ‘family’ the women are then used to recruit others using their soft power and ability to be ignored by the authorities.”
Abdi Jimale, Al-Shabaab terror group analyst
From Al-Shabaab Victims to Perpetrators
Despite the traditional perception of women as victims, Al-Shabaab has cunningly capitalized on this stereotype to further its own agenda. Women, once entrapped, transition from being involuntary victims to willing participants.
The coercive control exerted by Al-Shabaab takes away any semblance of choice, forcing women into roles that range from suicide bombers to money launderers.
In April 2012, a young woman strapped with explosives blew herself up at the National Theatre in Central Mogadishu. This suicide bomber targeted a meeting in which Prime Minister Abdiweli Mohamed Ali Gaas was addressing a crowd of 200 guests.
This was the first time Somali experienced such an attack involving a woman. A number of prominent figures lost their lives in the attack. It was around this time that civil societies in Somalia were advocating for the protection of women and children from the Al-Shabaab.
Consequently, in 2016, local authorities in Badhere district, Gedo region ordered all women married to Al-Shabaab and Daesh to leave the district within a week.
Similarly, local authorities in Tiyeglow district, Bakol region gave out the same orders. The deadline was supported by the fact that the extremists’ wives were contributing to insecurity.
Shockingly, the Al-Shabaab retaliated by targeting officials in an assassination campaign. In August 2019, Mayor Abdirahman Omar Osman was assassinated by his blind female office assistant. Strapped with explosives, the lady blew herself up alongside the Mayor and six others.
Al-Shabaab’s strategic inclusion of women extends beyond its ranks, infiltrating various sectors of society. Women involved in trade in government-controlled areas serve as both sources of intelligence and money launderers.
This infiltration ranges from tax collection centers to government offices. Thus posing a severe threat to the Somali government’s stability. However, the Somali government recognizes these grave threats and is currently engaged in a multifaceted fight against the group.
Efforts are directed toward weakening their military capabilities, disrupting financial sources, and cutting off recruitment channels. Yet, the expanding involvement of women complicates counterterrorism efforts.
Somalia’s Minister for Interior, Federal Affairs, and Reconciliation admitted that Al-Shabab is their number one enemy. In an interview with Nation Africa, Ahmed Maalim revealed that the Somali government is fighting the terror group on three fronts.
“Somalia’s main challenge is terrorism from groups like Khawarij (Al-Shabaab and Daesh. Theses groups have blocked access to the affected communities and completely cut off the regions from the rest of the country and humanity.”
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