However , images on Islamist websites purport to show fair - skinned man fluent in Arabic . In September , the U.S. Africa Command warned that Al-Shabaab , Boko Haram in Nigeria and al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb were trying to synchronize their efforts to launch attacks on U.S and Western interests , but had yet to show a significant capability to export terror . Al - Qaeda militants say he 's from al Qaeda leader al Qaeda , in Somalia to dispense aid . Event suggests a strengthening of ties between al - Shabaab and al Qaeda hard - line . But the identitiy of the man has n't been determined , and the identification may be a ploy .
However , images on Islamist websites purport to show fair - skinned man fluent in Arabic . Al - Qaeda militants say he 's from al Qaeda leader al Qaeda , in Somalia to dispense aid . Event suggests a strengthening of ties between al - Shabaab and al Qaeda hard - line . But the identitiy of the man has n't been determined , and the identification may be a ploy .