The group 's Islamist ideology calls for punishments of amputations and public stonings for violations of Islamic law ; their rule has been severe , prohibiting music and television , and the wearing of bras by women . Al-Shabab was also praised by Osama bin Laden prior to his death in May 2011 . Its leaders have reputedly worked closely with terrorists of al-Qaeda in Yemen and Pakistan . It is thought to have harbored al-Qaeda terrorists responsible for the 1998 Kenya and Tanzania U.S. embassy bombings
1998 Kenya and Tanzania U.S. embassy bombings
1998 United States embassy bombings
Operation Arabian Knight