(10-05-23) MOGADISHU – The Al-Shabaab group, already grappling with internal conflict, has dismissed its leader in charge of operations in Kenya, according to Caasimada Online. This move could potentially have a significant impact on the group’s attacks along the border between Somalia and Kenya.
Commander Eyman, the ousted leader, was a high-ranking military official with extensive knowledge of the border regions. He had previously been appointed to head the Al-Shabaab wing known as Jeyshu Eyman, which operates in areas along the Somalia-Kenya border. Eyman has been responsible for orchestrating several deadly attacks in Kenya, resulting in numerous casualties.
Reports suggest that the dismissal of Eyman and the discord among the group’s top leadership stem from suspicions that he was planning to join the Daesh militia, which is also active in Somalia. These suspicions were fueled further when Salman Muhajir, another foreign officer and friend of Eyman, left Al-Shabaab around the same time.
Eyman joined Al-Shabaab in 2009 and eventually took over the leadership of Jeyshu Eyman, which has been targeting Kenya in recent years. His dismissal follows a trend of high-profile leaders being removed from their positions, including Jafar Sudani.
Security experts, such as Dr. Ali Ahmed, a researcher at the Simad University, believe that this leadership change in Jeyshu Eyman’s wing could significantly impact the group’s operations in Kenya. “The dismissal of Commander Eyman may disrupt the group’s tactical approach in Kenya, which has experienced an increase in attacks in recent years,” Dr. Ahmed said.
Mogadishu-based security analyst, Omar Yusuf, told Halqabsi News that the ongoing power struggle within Al-Shabaab could create opportunities for Somali government, regional and international forces to weaken the group. “The internal conflict and leadership changes within Al-Shabaab may provide a window for regional and international stakeholders to capitalize on the group’s instability and further undermine their operations,” he explained.
As the situation unfolds, the consequences of these leadership changes and internal strife within Al-Shabaab remain uncertain. However, it is clear that the group’s actions have generated additional tension in an already volatile region.
© Halqabsi News
