AFRICOM cuts off tongue of ‘snake of terror’ in Somalia

Ahmed Adel

Radio Al-Andalus is the largest radio station affiliated with the terrorist group Al-Shabaab in Somalia and the head of its propaganda. The movement has 50 journalists working in that radio station, and it uses them to mislead public opinion and incite citizens against the government and AFRICOM forces.

In the same context, drones belonging to the US military command in Africa (AFRICOM) carried out two strikes on Friday January 1, destroying the headquarters of Radio Al-Andalus in Lower Shabelle, southern Somalia.

The AFRICOM leadership said in a press statement on Saturday, January 2, that the two strikes targeted and destroyed Al-Shabaab compounds in Somalia.

The statement added that AFRICOM’s initial estimates indicate that no civilians were injured or killed as a result of this operation.

“This operation clearly demonstrates our continued commitment to Somalia and our regional partners,” said General Joel Tyler, Director of Operations at the US Command in Africa. “We reserve the means and the will to strike the Al-Shabaab terrorist network when necessary to protect the region and our nation as well.”

Horn of terror

In a statement carried by affiliated websites, Al-Shabaab admitted that the headquarters of the radio and all its equipment had been severely damaged, confirming that there were no casualties among its members.

Radio Al-Andalus is considered one of the most famous media stations for Al-Shabaab militants, as it publishes daily news and information about attacks by the movement’s elements on government websites.

In 2013, the group took control of about six radio stations by storming private stations such as “The Horn of Africa”, “The Holy Quran” and “The World Broadcasting Corporation”, and seized their equipment.

When choosing the presenters of the programs on Radio Al-Andalus, the terrorist group is careful, selecting the presenters from the owners of the English languages ​​to use them to make statements in English. As for the Arabic programs, they use classical Arabic, provided that the presenters are highly educated, especially with regard to the language and Islamic texts.

These strikes come at a time when US forces in Somalia are preparing to leave the country before January 20, and to re-locate at US bases in neighboring countries in Kenya and Djibouti.