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On November 4, 2024, Al-Kataib Media, the official media outlet of Al-Qaeda's affiliate in Somalia, Harakat Al-Shabab Al-Mujahideen (Al-Shabab), published a new address by Al-Shabab's leader, Emir Abu Ubaidah Ahmad Omar.[1]
A summary of the video was published by Shahada News Agency, another official outlet of the group. According to Shahada, the speech, which lasted approximately 45 minutes, was delivered in Somali and translated into English. The emir focused on the territorial and political dispute between Ethiopia and Somalia, accusing Ethiopia of waging a war against Islam, condemning the current Somali administration, and lashing out at other Muslim countries for "colluding" against Muslims.
As he endeavored to present Al-Shabab operatives as the protectors of Somalia and Islam, Abu Ubaidah urged Muslims in the region to fulfil their responsibilities by joining the ranks of the "mujahideen," arguing that diplomacy does not guarantee victory and "any solution that does not include jihad is destined for despair and regret."
"Ethiopia's Blatant Intentions Are To Exploit And Annex Somali Waters"
Commenting on Ethiopia's Prime Minister, Abiy Ahmed's "illegal" Memorandum of Understanding with Somaliland, Ubu Ubaidah began his speech by accusing Ethiopia of trying to control parts of the Somali coast, particularly the Zeila coast.
"Although this agreement came as a surprise, it is not entirely shocking, but rather reflects Ethiopia's long-standing ambitions, which previously went unnoticed, or were not adequately addressed."
The address laid out the roots of Ethiopia's alleged ambitions regarding Somali waters, and how the parties that supported the Ethiopians intervened. He discussed a solution to confront this "threat that endangers Somalia's security."
"It's A Conflict Between The Quran And The Bible, The Mosque And The Church"
Justifying Al-Shabab's alleged "necessary" defense of Somalia's land and of Islam, Abu Ubaidah stressed that the conflict with Ethiopia was not based on political or ethnic differences, but rather has its base in religion:
"The Ethiopian crusade against the Muslims of Somalia is a war that has deeper roots than the Somali-Ethiopian war of 1977. The conflict between us and Ethiopia today is a religious war based on the principles of monotheism. It is a conflict between faith and unbelief, the Quran and the Bible, the mosque and the church."
To prove that Ethiopia's ambitions are not a new phenomenon but deeply rooted and based on religion, the emir's address traced the argument back to the year the Prophet Muhammed was born - known as A'am Al-Feel [the Year of the Elephant].
"Ethiopians Want To Attack The Holy Ka'ba"
Abu Ubaidah claimed that the repeated Ethiopian invasions of Somalia, throughout the years, have always been coordinated by the Ethiopian Orthodox priests, dating back to the time of Abraha, the king of Aksum who started a huge military expedition, which included elephants, toward Mecca to destroy the Ka'ba, in what became known as A'am Al-Feel.
He said: "Likewise, we know that one of the reasons behind Ethiopia's quest to annex the ports of Somalia is to prepare for their attack on the Holy Ka'ba, just as our Prophet warned."
Moreover, Ethiopia's ambitions, according to the speech, are not limited to Somalia's ports and land, but rather extend to claiming that the lineage and origins of the people in these areas are Ethiopian.
"Abandoning Islam Encouraged Infidels To Attack Us"
According to Abu Ubaidah, the main reason that enabled Ethiopia or the "infidels" in general to launch an attack on Somalia is that the Muslims in Somalia have abandoned the Quran's teachings and martyrdom. All of which, according to him, led Somalis to neglect jihad against the enemy and accept a life of humiliation under the rule of the "infidels."
Furthermore, he laid out the main factor that allowed Ethiopia to claim sovereignty over Somalia's waters, saying: "Tribalism and the fragmentation of the Somali people, which weakened us and enabled the enemy to take advantage of us."
Abu Ubaidah lashed out at Islamic scholars for betraying their noble message. Instead of standing at the forefront of the jihad against Ethiopia as the role models for the Ummah [nation], he said, "they became mouthpieces for the crusaders who invaded our land."
"Betrayal Of Leaders Allowed Ethiopia To Invade Us"
Accusing the Somali government of treachery, Abu Ubaidah claimed that Ethiopia nurtured, for the past thirty years, the current Somali officials and used them to infiltrate Somalia to implement Addis Ababa's agenda.
"They are the ones who welcomed the Ethiopian crusaders who entered the country yesterday and are the ones who have maintained their presence today."
"We Must Overthrow Apostate Administrations That Have Become Ethiopia's Puppets"
According to Abu Ubaidah, the way to thwart Ethiopia's "malicious" intentions lies within "fearing Allah Almighty and obeying His commands, striving in the cause of Allah, and confronting the enemy with unwavering determination and unyielding weapons."
He continued: "To overcome the Ethiopian Crusaders is to unite under the Book of Allah Almighty and adhere to His teachings and avoid division, fanaticism and ethnic conflicts, for it is Ethiopia's greatest fear today is that East African Muslims will unite on the basis of their faith."
Calling on Somalis to revolt against their government, the release urged followers to "overthrow the apostate administrations that have become puppets of Ethiopia and serve its interests."
"They have acknowledged Ethiopia's occupation of western Somalia and are the ones who handed over Somali ports and economic resources to the Ethiopians. They are hypocrites who change their policies and positions to suit their own interests."
Glorifying Al-Shabab Operatives As Guardians Of Somalia
Glorifying Al-Shabab operatives as the guardians of Somalia's safety and security, Abu Ubaidah claimed that the group's fighters, with the help of Allah and the support of the Somali tribes, are the only armed force currently fighting against the "Ethiopian invaders."
He went on to praise them, saying: "They are the ones who fought against the Ethiopians in Gedo region in 1996. They are the ones who dragged the bodies of the Ethiopian invaders through the streets of Mogadishu. They are the ones who subdued and defeated the Ethiopians in the squares of Mogadishu, Idal, Yergid, Jama, Burhakpa, Helgen, Alabar, Rabdor, Dollo, Yede, and Atto. The jihad against Ethiopia and their victories on the battlefield are acknowledged by Muslims and infidels alike."
To Muslims: "Any Solution That Does Not Include Jihad Is Destined For Despair And Regret"
Abu Ubaidah then directed a message to Muslims, in which he urged them, especially the youth and tribal members, to fulfil their responsibility towards Islam by joining the ranks of the "mujahideen" and to support them in defending their religion, their homeland, and the resources of the Muslims in East Africa:
"I urge them to reflect on the noble history of their ancestors and the legacy of honor, dignity and jihad."
Arguing that victory was never achieved by diplomacy, he said:
"Any solution that does not include jihad is destined for despair and regret. The glorious history of the Muslims in East Africa did not arise from discussions and diplomacy, nor from begging and pleading with the infidels. Rather, our ancestors repelled the Ethiopian crusaders with firm belief, unity, reliance on Allah Almighty, and confronting the infidels with the tips of their spears."
"O Muslims… Do Not Be Deceived"
Abu Ubaidah further warned Muslims against being misled by any solution that is not in accordance with the Quran and Sunnah, suggesting that those proposed by the United Nations aim to give Ethiopia control over the Somali ports. He also warned against agreements signed by the Somali government with Turkey and Egypt, accusing those two countries of abandoning the people of Gaza.
He explained: "If these countries shared the bonds of Islamic brotherhood as they claim, they would have supported the Palestinian Muslims, who are facing daily tyranny."
To discredit the Egyptian government of President Abdul Fatah El-Sissi, he asked: "Does Egypt's El-Sisi really care about what happens to Muslims, when he closed the borders to the people of Palestine so that they would not receive sufficient aid? Isn't El-Sisi the one who called on the people of Gaza to surrender their land to the Jews?"
To Ethiopian Leaders: "I Advise You To Turn Away From The Path You Have Taken"
Approaching the end of the address, Abu Ubaidah sent a message to Ethiopia's leaders, saying:
"Your goal is to eradicate Islam from the region, destroy its sanctities, seize the resources of Muslims, and position yourselves as the saviors of the cross in this region. You have spared no effort in trying to achieve this goal, but Allah Almighty has thwarted your efforts."
"Therefore, I advise you to turn from the path you have taken and embrace the straight path that we have been calling you to, for more than 1,400 years."
Emphasizing The Importance Of Jihad
In conclusion, Abu Ubaidah urged Somalis to ensure that their efforts were not limited to protests and mere rhetoric, but also included military preparations and training, and active engagement on the front lines of jihad:
"Know that today you bear a great responsibility, and our goal is not only to liberate Ethiopia or rid the country of the crusaders, but our goal is to implement the law of Allah Almighty and raise His religion, liberate the Islamic lands, and restore the honor and dignity that Muslims once had."
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