Al-Shabaab incites for attacks on US and French bases in Djibouti -

Mogadishu: Al-Shabaab, an Al-Qaeda affiliated terrorist organisation, incited attacks on the US and French military bases in Djibouti. Taking cognisance of this, the United States has warned that any attacks by the terrorist organisation will be retaliated against. Meanwhile, elections are scheduled to be held in Djibouti in the next month. Concerns are being expressed over the Al-Shabaab incitement coming just before the elections.

A video of Ahmed Omar, also known as Abu Ubaidah, Al-Shabaab leader in Somalia and Kenya for the last six years, was released two days ago. Ahmed Omar criticised Djibouti President Ismail Omar Guelleh. The Al-Shabaab chief accused that military bases of other countries have been set up in the country during Guelleh’s tenure. Ahmed Omar alleged that these bases are being used to start a war against the Islamic people in East Africa. Therefore, the Al-Shabaab chief incited to attack the US and French military bases in Djibouti.

The Al-Shabaab chief delivered a message to his supporters that the youth in Djibouti should launch lone-wolf attacks on the US and French military bases and throw these militaries out of the country. The terrorist organisation chief expressed a willingness to shelter and train the youth willing to carry out these attacks.

Colonel Christopher Karns, US Africa Command, Director of Public Affairs, said that due cognisance had been taken off the threat issued in the Al-Shabaab video. The US interests in East Africa are under threat from Al-Shabaab. Colonel Karns clarified that therefore, the United States is taking extreme action against Al-Shabaab, and efforts are being made to exterminate this terrorist organisation.

Some of the world’s leading countries have set up military bases in Djibouti to monitor the freight and naval movements in the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean. This includes the most extensive US base with 4,000 soldiers. France has nearly 1,500 soldiers, China has 1,000 and Japan, and Italy has between 100 to 200 soldiers in Djibouti. China has even built a port for freight ships in Djibouti.

Djibouti has an important place in the marine freight movement, and therefore western countries, as well as countries like China and Japan, have focused their attention on Djibouti. India also is making efforts to set up a base in Djibouti. In this scenario, if there is an attempt to realise the threat issued by Al-Shabaab to the US and French bases, it could have major repercussions. This is highlighted by the reaction given by Colonel Karns of the United States.