Terrorists Rely On Hollow Claims And False Information To Recruit In Africa

Faced with increased U.S. military presence in African countries, al-Qaeda offshoots and other terrorists are resorting to a new weapon: hollow claims.

Al-Qaeda affiliate al-Shabaab put out a 52-minute video in September to congratulate a band for storming a military installation in Somalia. The propaganda makers, however, omitted the fact that two explosive devices-laden vehicles blew up even before reaching the outpost and a third one was taken out by a precision air strike by the U.S. forces that guarded the outpost along with Somali soldiers.

Terror groups active in the vast expanse of Africa have found it increasingly difficult to carry out opeartions since the U.S. stepped up military presence in the continent. It seems they are focusing more resources on propaganda to keep cadre morale high and to lure in new recruits.

The U.S. Africa Command continues to work with the Somali government in ridding the area of terrorists, and they are doing a fantastic job. U.S. forces guarding the Somali installation foiled the terrorists' bid, resulting in the deaths of 15 terrorists with connections to al-Shabaab, Military Times reported.

The group of terrorists attempted to gain access to the installation that was being guarded by Somali soldiers and U.S. military personnel. The attackers used small arms and explosive devices that were attached to three separate vehicles. Two of the explosive devices were detonated before the vehicles even reached the compound and a third was taken out with a precision air strike.

No Somalian or United States casualties resulted from the operation, but a U.S. soldier was treated for concussion-like symptoms and recovered. Terrorist organizations are learning that they cannot face the U.S. head-on so they have been on a continuous campaign of misinformation.

A source within the U.S. Special Forces stationed in Africa told International Business Times under the condition of anonymity that incursions such as the one discussed above happen fairly frequently with the same results. Conditions are improving significantly in the region and the Somalian government is stable.

The United States-Somalia relations have greatly improved and the U.S. is helping the Somalians gain ground by neutralizing terrorist threats. With the hope that the Somalian government can continue to take control of their country, U.S. military stands firm in its resolve to chase down extremism and stop it in its tracks.

Last month the U.S. Air Force announced the existence of a new permanent operating base in Niger from which they can operate a variety of weaponry that can continuously fight incursions such as this. Yet the terrorists may be keeping their support bases happy with baseless propaganda.