(03-08-23) MOGADISHU – Somalia has experienced an alarming 157-percent increase in fatalities linked to the Islamist militant group al Shabaab, with a record 7,937 deaths over the past year, according to a mid-year review by the Africa Center for Strategic Studies.
The report highlights the growing violence in Somalia, which has seen a 235-percent increase in battle-related fatalities, leading to 6,199 deaths. These battle-related deaths constitute 78 percent of all fatalities linked to the country, a significant increase from the decade’s average of 63 percent.
This escalation comes in the wake of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s call last August for a joint offensive with clan militias and international forces against al Shabaab. The subsequent rise in fatalities reflects the intensity of this offensive and the counter-attacks by the militant group.
Worryingly, the past year has seen a 71-percent increase in al-Shabaab-linked fatalities against civilians. This escalation may indicate the pressures the group faces from the joint offensive, leading to members fleeing across the Kenyan border and launching attacks there.
In a sinister development, al Shabaab has also been targeting prominent local sheikhs and lawmakers who have spoken out against them, as part of an effort to maintain control and intimidate local communities.
In regional terms, the violence has spilled into Ethiopia with 214 fatalities, while Kenya, despite regular border incidents with al Shabaab, has seen a decline in fatalities to 125.
Somalia’s escalating violence underscores the urgent need for concerted efforts from local, national, and international stakeholders. The report’s findings serve as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges in Somalia, emphasising the importance of a robust response to the escalating threat posed by al Shabaab.
