Somalia: Implications of the Al Qaeda-Al Shabaab Relationship

Through its senior leadership, Somalian Islamist militant group al Shabaab has close ties to al Qaeda prime. Because of this connection, al Shabaab has access to al Qaeda sympathizers and support. Considering Somalia's proximity to Yemen, which has become a hotbed of jihadist activity of late, fighters could easily move from the Middle East through Yemen to Somalia in order to join al Shabaab. While Somalia has not yet become a "central theater" for the transnational jihadist movement, the potential is there.