Al-Shabab's 'divide and rule' tactics

Al-Shabab, whose top leaders are believed to have trained by al-Qaida in Afghanistan, is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States and Australia.

Al-Shebab fighter guards a crowd in Mogadishu during a court session run by the Islmaist group, 22 Jun 2009

"Al-Shabab always takes advantage of estrangements between clans. For example, if clan A and clan B are not on good terms with each other, al-Shabab will go and sit with whichever they think they can convince," Roble said. "[They] tell them that, 'You will be the clan dominating this area. You will be the ruling clan here, so you support us.' Another trick they are using is to terrorize and threaten different clans, saying [things] like, 'We will cleanse your clan. You will be destroyed and your clan will be history. If you don't like it, don't come against us," he said.

Mohamed Ali Osman is a member of parliament and the chairman of a group seeking semi-autonomy for Kismayo and the surrounding regions. He says al-Shabab enjoyed popular support when it was perceived as a group fighting for Somali sovereignty against Ethiopia and the West. But support for the militants eroded after al-Shabab imposed strict interpretations of Islamic law. Punishments have included amputating the limbs of thieves, stoning and flogging of women, and public beheadings.

Osman says having lost its popular mandate, al-Shabab now maintains authority through deception and tactics long used by conquering armies.

"They are using 'divide and rule' for the clans. They are giving out positions and money and weapons, saying 'You stay in Kismayo, we will give you a share of the administration." This is a lie. They are lying to the local people," he said.

Hizbul Islam militiamen stand guard at the group's HQ in south Mogadishu, 24 Apr 2009

Signaling a possible shift in alliance, nearly 300 Hizbul Islam fighters surrendered to the Somali government last week. Isolating al-Shabab from less fanatical Islamist groups has been a goal for the besieged government and its Western backers.

But few Somalis believe the realignment will weaken al-Shabab's resolve. They say as long as there are clan differences, al-Shabab will likely find a way to exploit them to further their extremist agenda.

Source: VOA News

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