Mogadishu, SOMALIA – Al-Shabab militants have bombed two businesses in the northern suburbs of Mogadishu, targeting them specifically for their installation of closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras. The attacks, which occurred on the night of October 1st in the city’s Daynile district, have raised fresh concerns about the ability of the Somali government to protect its citizens from the ongoing threat of Al-Shabab violence.
The bombings, which fortunately did not result in any casualties, come just weeks after similar attacks on businesses in the western suburbs of Mogadishu, including Elasha Biyaha and Tabelaha Sheikh Ibrahim, which were also targeted for their use of CCTV cameras. These incidents underscore the growing sophistication and determination of Al-Shabab’s anti-surveillance campaign, as the group seeks to undermine the government’s efforts to improve security and assert its authority in the capital.
A New Front in Al-Shabab’s Anti-Surveillance Campaign
The bombings of the two businesses in Daynile district mark a significant expansion of Al-Shabab’s anti-surveillance campaign in Mogadishu, as the group seeks to extend its reach beyond its traditional strongholds in the city’s periphery and into the northern suburbs. Daynile, located just a few kilometers northeast of the city center, has long been considered a relatively stable and secure area, with a significant presence of government security forces and a growing business community.
However, the recent attacks have exposed the vulnerability of even these supposedly safe areas to Al-Shabab’s violence and intimidation. The group’s ability to carry out bombings in Daynile, despite the presence of security forces and the relative calm of the district, underscores the challenges faced by the Somali government in securing the capital and protecting its citizens from the ongoing threat of terrorism.
The targeting of businesses in Daynile for their installation of CCTV cameras is particularly significant, as it represents a disturbing escalation of Al-Shabab’s anti-surveillance campaign, which has been ongoing for several months. In March, the group launched a series of coordinated bombings against businesses in the Bakara Market area of Mogadishu, specifically targeting those that had complied with government orders to install CCTV cameras as part of efforts to improve security in the city.
These earlier attacks, which caused significant damage and disruption to businesses in the area, were a clear attempt by Al-Shabab to coerce and intimidate the private sector into defying government directives and resisting efforts to enhance surveillance and intelligence-gathering capabilities in the capital. The Daynile bombings suggest that Al-Shabab is now expanding this campaign to other parts of the city, seeking to create a wider climate of fear and deterrence that undermines the government’s authority and security initiatives.
The Pattern of Intimidation
The Daynile bombings and the earlier attacks on businesses in Elasha Biyaha and Tabelaha Sheikh Ibrahim are part of a broader pattern of intimidation and violence employed by Al-Shabab to maintain its influence and control over key areas of Mogadishu. In recent months, the group has intensified its efforts to target businesses and individuals that are seen as collaborating with the government or supporting its security measures, using a range of tactics including bombings, assassinations, and threats.
This campaign of intimidation has been particularly acute in the city’s periphery, where Al-Shabab has traditionally maintained a strong presence and where the government’s authority is often more tenuous. The attacks on businesses in Elasha Biyaha and Tabelaha Sheikh Ibrahim, which occurred in late August and early September respectively, were part of a concerted effort by the group to reassert its control over these areas and deter any cooperation with the government’s security initiatives.
The targeting of businesses that have installed CCTV cameras is a particularly insidious tactic, as it seeks to exploit the vulnerability and fear of the private sector in order to undermine the government’s efforts to improve security. Al-Shabab is sending a message that any cooperation with the authorities or adoption of surveillance measures will be met with swift and brutal retaliation, effectively creating a disincentive for businesses to support the government’s security agenda.
This tactic is all the more effective given the limited resources and capabilities of the Somali security forces, which have struggled to provide adequate protection to businesses and civilians in the face of Al-Shabab’s threats and attacks. The group’s ability to carry out bombings and assassinations with relative impunity, even in supposedly secure areas, has further eroded public confidence in the government’s ability to maintain law and order and protect its citizens.
