Al-Shabaab

Harakat al-Shabaab al-Mujahideen (HSM) (Arabic: حركة الشباب المجاهدين‎; Ḥarakat ash-Shabāb al-Mujāhidīn, Somali: Xarakada Mujaahidiinta Alshabaab, "Mujahideen Youth Movement" or "Movement of Striving Youth"), more commonly known as al-Shabaab (Arabic: الشباب‎), meaning "The Youth", or "The Youngsters", is a jihadist group based in Somalia founded by Ahmed Godane. In 2012, it pledged allegiance to the militant Islamist organization Al-Qaeda.

As of 2013, the group has retreated from the major cities, but imposes strict forms of Sharia law in some rural regions. Al-Shabaab's troop strength as of 2013 was estimated at 4,000 to 6,000 militants. In February 2012, some of the group's leaders quarreled with Al-Qaeda over the union, and quickly lost ground.

Quotes

• We will continue to hunt other MPs if they do not leave the apostate organisation [parliament].
  • Al-Shabab spokesman Abdulaziz Abu Musab, quoted in BBC News, "Al-Shabab kills Somali MP in Mogadishu", July 3, 2014.