by Jennifer M. Haralambides
Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa

MOGADISHU, Somalia – On Thursday, Islamist rebel group al-Shabaab vowed that the movement will continue terror attacks on foreign targets, and that they are calling on foreign militants to join them in their radical efforts.

The commando operation, allegedly by the U.S., that killed kenyan-born Saleh Ali Saleh Nabhan in southern Somali on Monday has triggered an angry response from the Al-Shabaab, who are fighting the nation’s U.N.-backed government.  Nabhan was believed to be a central operative for the global terrorist group al-Qaeda and responsible for a 2002 bombing and attempted shooting of an Israeli jet.

Even though the raid may have gained valuable counter-terrorism intelligence, it may have risked igniting the already intense “anti-western” opinion in the country.  This attitude has been fostered by the al-Shabaab who Washington says is al-Qaeda’s proxy in Somalia.

Now the rebel group is calling out to foreign countries for Muslim religious warriors to come and participate in their war.

“We call for all Muslim fighters in the world to come to Somalia,” said Sheikh Mahad Abdikarim, commander of al-Shabaab forces in the Bay and Bakol regions . . . “If Burundians and Ugandans, who are not Muslims, are allowed to stay in Somalia, who can refuse our Muslim brothers to join us in the struggle?” he asked.

Sources say that Monday’s use of helicopter-troops has marked an apparent change in the U.S. military’s tactical approach.

Al-Shabaab, along side other Islamic opposition fighters, has pushed the pro-government forces back to Mogadishu.  Here the two sides are engaged in ongoing street battles as the opposition attempts to take over the current administration of President Sharif.

So far, the fighting has killed more than 18,000 civilians since the start of 2007.  In this time,  Somalia has become a safe haven for militants, including foreign jihadists, who are plotting attacks within the region and in foreign locations.

For more information, please see:

Daily Nation – Al-Shabaab Vows More Terror Attacks – 18 September 2009

Reuters – Somali Rebels Call fo Foreign Reinforcements – 16 September 2009

VOA – Al-Shabab Asks Foreign Fighters to Come to Somalia – 16 September 2009