According to both the United States government and the United Nations, Shabaab constitutesal-Qaeda’s largestand wealthiest global branch. Fielding tens of thousands of fighters and raking in more than $100 million a yearthrough various illicit activities, Shabaab dominates the jihadist landscape across much of East Africa…
In Somalia, it directly controls or indirectly influences vast swaths of the country’s territory. In neighboring Kenya, it continues to mount attacks across the country’s northeastern counties while also controlling some portions of territory. It has mounted cross-border raids into Ethiopia and has seized territory. And more historically, it has fielded recruitment networks in areas such as Tanzania and Uganda.
However, the al-Qaeda branch is currently facing one of its most pivotal moments in the last decade. The Somali government, in conjunction with various international allies and clan militias, have launched major counter-offensives against the group across southern and central Somalia. Though the long-term impacts of these offensives are yet to be determined, the group is nevertheless facing more pressure today than it has since it was forced out of Mogadishu in 2011 and later from Kismayo in 2012.
Within this context, FDD’s Long War Journal seeks to document, list, and detail important members of Shabaab’s senior leadership and key personnel involved in both its operational activities and shadow governance. The list below will be periodically updated as new information comes to light, individuals are killed and/or replaced, or new individuals or positions within Shabaab’s leadership are announced.
https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2023/03/shabaab-leadership.php
