Pro-terrorism support of Qatar in Somali

By Basma Saad

Based on several international documents and reports, including the U.S. Treasury statements, it is proved that Somalia is the worst country suffers Qatar-backed terrorism in Africa. Since Qatari Emir Tamil bin Hamad AL Thani assumed power in 2013, Doha has sought to extend its influence in Horn Africa, particularly in Somalia.

Unlike Arab countries, which enhance their reforming ties with Somalia, Qatar also helped militants to wield influence as a way to force the Somali government to accept negotiations with those militant groups to reach settlement.

Evidence on Qatar’s support to Terrorism

A leaked document on Wikileaks revealed that former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice asked Turkey in 2009  to place pressure on Qatar to stop funding militant group of Al-Al-Shabaab al-Mujahidin Movement. Other U.S. security reports proved in July 2007 that Qatar was terrorism financier.

In December 2013, U.S. Treasury revealed that Qatari citizens, including Abd al-Rahman bin ‘Umayr al-Nu’aymi (Nu’aymi), have provided money to al-Shabaab. In 2012, Nu’aymi transformed $250,000 to two members named as Specially Designated Global Terrorists (SDGTs). Nu’aymi also had a strong relation with the former leader of al-Shabaab Hassan Dahir Aweys.

Meanwhile, deteriorating situation in Somalia on all levels helped disseminate extremism across the country; Somalia has been suffering the lack of effective security mechanisms to eradicate al-Shabaab terrorism, tribal disputes, and flagging economy.

Doha’s grip on Mogadishu

Doha has tightened its grip on all Mogadishu’ policies, exploiting the country’s unstable atmosphere. Socially, Qatar’s extending influence won loyalty of a big number of Somali people throughout its charities and financial grants to the poor, particularly who suffer from drought. Qatari regime managed to penetrate the Somali society, to form pressure lobbies serve its interests. For example, Sheikh Eid bin Mohammad Al Thani Charitable Association (Eid Charity) established a number of projects at a cost of $38.5 million in the period between 2007 and 2016.  Other Qatari charities were proved that they are financiers to militants. Foreign security reports revealed that the Qatar Charity and RAF Foundation have provided money to al-Shabaab.

To maintain the loyalty of Somali government and society, Qatar regime pumped investments into fields of education, health, infrastructure, local administration to have an easily access to the Somali government.

The tiny Gulf state’s influence in Somalia was demonstrated after the four Arab countries (Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the  UAE, and Bahrain) severed their ties with Doha and closed their aerospace for Qatari flights over accusations of “supporting terrorism” in May 2017;  Qatari Airways used Somali aerospace to operate about 15 flights.

Militarily, Doha provided Somali police forces with 30 four-wheel drive vehicles in aid in February 2018, the Somali news agency reported.

Furthermore, Qatar-financed al-Shabaab was forcing the Somali families, particularly in rural areas, to hand over their children to receive military trainings, according to a report issued by the Human Rights Watch in January 2018. Qatar also involved in helping the Somali government to “recruit” soldiers. It has been reported by Puntland-based Garowe Online in October 2017 that Qatar offered financial incentives of $6,000 for each Somali soldier who would join trainings in Qatar.

Politically, Doha’s grip on Mogadishu was demonstrated when the Somali government asked for a Qatari role in the Somali national reconciliation in May 2017. Economically, Qatari Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani announced in a joint press conference with his former Somali counterpart in May 2017 Yusuf Garaad Omar Ahmed that Doha was ready to support Somali general budget upon a request from Mogadishu. However, Al Thani did not reveal the size of the asked financial aid.

Suggested inforganics on the following:

1- HRW report on children recruitment in Somalia

2- Qatar’s military and financial aid to Somali despite the Arab boycott

3- Qatar’s recruitment of somali soldiers to have trainings in Doha for 6,000 each

References:

• “Reports: Qatar involved in funding Somali a-l-Shabaab Movement” by Sky News
  Link: Arabyiahttp://cutt.us/C9mZx
• “Qatar funds al-Shabaab o Somalia” by UAE al-Bayan
  link: https://www.albayan.ae/one-world/arabs/2017-07-08-1.2997796
• “Treasury Designates Al-Qa’ida Supporters in Qatar and Yemen.”
  Link: https://www.treasury.gov/press-center/press-releases/Pages/jl2249.aspx

https://www.state.gov/documents/organization/272488.pdf

• “Somalia: Qatar recruiting soldiers in Somalia for combat” by Garowe Online.
  Link: https://www.garoweonline.com/en/news/somalia/somalia-qatar-recruiting-soldiers-in-somalia-for-combat
• “Somalia’s second face: a conflict arena among Gulf States” by Sasa Post.  http://cutt.us/6Wy70
  • “Despite the crisis, Qatar gives Somalia military aid” by Sputnik Arabic. http://cutt.us/HefZq