Islamist extremist group, al-Shabaab’s recent attacks signal an escalation in its offensive. Analysts suspect that the group is looking to disrupt Somalia’s general elections, which are planned for recent days, and undermine public confidence in international peacekeepers, to bring down the fragile government. In later this year, the group has targeted a hotel in the capital, Mogadishu, and attacked a restaurant in the city of Baidoa, killing at least 30 people who had gathered to watch a televised football match. The relative success of peacekeeping operations in regaining control of the country’s main cities had encouraged hopes of a recovery following years of turmoil. However, observers argue that the situation is deteriorating again, with al-Shabaab, which already controls large parts of the south and centre of the country, seemingly on the offensive.
Islamist extremist group, al-Shabaab’s recent attacks signal an escalation in its offensive. Analysts suspect that the group is looking to disrupt Somalia’s general elections, which are planned for later this year, and undermine public confidence in international peacekeepers, to bring down the fragile government. In recent days, the group has targeted a hotel in the capital, Mogadishu, and attacked a restaurant in the city of Baidoa, killing at least 30 people who had gathered to watch a televised football match. The relative success of peacekeeping operations in regaining control of the country’s main cities had encouraged hopes of a recovery following years of turmoil. However, observers argue that the situation is deteriorating again, with al-Shabaab, which already controls large parts of the south and centre of the country, seemingly on the offensive.