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On June 28, 2022, Shahada Agency, the official media outlet of Al-Qaeda's affiliate in Somalia, Harakat Al-Shabab Al-Mujahideen (Al-Shabab), published an article, along with photos, celebrating the inauguration of a general hospital sponsored by the group in the city of Jilib in southern Somalia.
The report focused on highlighting the hospital's capacity and services, noting that "officials, doctors, and city dignitaries" attended the ceremony. It further highlighted excerpts from the speeches made during the event that gave credit to the group and the "generous donors" for their role in building the hospital.
Hospital Services, Reach, And Funding
The one-page Shahada report, which was posted on the Al-Qaeda-operated Rocket.Chat server, stated that the hospital will provide comprehensive state-of-the-art medical services for the residents of Jilib and surrounding areas, including modern medical equipment and a highly trained medical staff that specializes in different medical fields.
According to the report, the hospital will provide medical analysis services, diagnostic laboratories, and a pharmacy. The hospital will also provide women's and men's health services, in addition to pediatric clinics and surgical wards, said the article.
The report cited the head of the hospital, whose name was not provided, as saying that the hospital's services will be available to the whole state of Juba (Jubaland).
Speaking about the financing of the hospital, the report cited Doctor Hanafi 'Abdi, who thanked those who participated and donated to the building of the hospital.
Hospital Will Not Be Run By The Group
The report explained that Al-Shabab official "Muhammad Abu 'Abdullah," who spoke at the event and was described later in the article as "Al-Wali" [the governor], indicated in his speech that the group will not be running the hospital. Instead, a specialized committee consisting of residents of Jilib will be in charge.
The official stated: "We, Al-Shabab Al-Mujahideen Movement, representing Juba Islamic Wilaya, are now handing the administration of the hospital to a community of city residents to run it..."
Al-Shabab To Provide More Than Medical Services
The article claimed that Al-Shabab's outreach efforts will not be restricted to medical services but will also include "educational, judicial, and governing services which fall under the framework of ruling and organizing the lives of the people."
"This is parallel to the military work to secure the Islamic states under the rule of the movement, including launching more attacks to topple the Somali government, which is supported by the West, in addition to liberating the country from Western dominance in order to establish Islamic rule," it said.
Twitter accounts, including those affiliated with Somali news outlets, confirmed the inauguration of the hospital on June 28, sharing the same photos documenting the event.
Additional photos released by Twitter news accounts confirming the inauguration of the hospital
Additional photos released by Twitter news accounts confirming the inauguration of the hospital
On June 29, 2022, the Somali government, represented by its newly appointed Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre, announced that it will launch a war against Al-Shabab movement in order to maintain security in Somalia until the country is liberated from the group's threats.
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