Forum Views ()
Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
Somali rebels join forces in cyberspace: U.N. report
|
Edition:
U.S.
Article
Comments (0)
Save
Email
Print
Reprints
Most Popular
Most Shared
New password-stealing virus targets Facebook
17 Mar 2010
Factbox: Details of final healthcare bill
| Video
2:00pm EDT
Viacom, Google accuse other of YouTube hypocrisy
18 Mar 2010
Once bitten by Apple, telcos warier with iPad
18 Mar 2010
Scientists hide gold with 3D "invisibility cloak"
18 Mar 2010
New password-stealing virus targets Facebook
17 Mar 2010
Polar bear, bluefin tuna trade bans rejected
| Video
18 Mar 2010
Once bitten by Apple, telcos warier with iPad
18 Mar 2010
Drive a Porsche? Up your status with a phone
17 Mar 2010
Factbox: Details of final healthcare bill
| Video
2:00pm EDT
Somali rebels join forces in cyberspace: U.N. report
Frank Nyakairu
NAIROBI
Fri Mar 19, 2010 11:43am EDT
An armed militant from Somalia's Hizbul Islam rebel group maintains order during a demonstration against the presence of the African Union (AU) peacekeepers on the outskirts of Mogadishu February 12, 2010.
Credit: Reuters/Ismail Taxta
NAIROBI (Reuters) - Armed rebel groups in Somalia are using the Internet for fundraising and recruitment, and they achieve better results through the Web than they do on the ground, a United Nations report said.
World | Technology
The report by the U.N. Monitoring Group on Somalia also highlighted how the rebels use the Internet to spread information about making bombs and religious rulings.
It cited a three-day, live fundraiser in May last year and another online forum in March 2009 attended by senior members of al Shabaab and Hizbul Islam, the two main rebel groups fighting the Western-backed government of President Sheikh Sharif Ahmed.
"Al Shabaab and Hizbul Islam have regularly conducted joint forums, achieving a greater degree of cooperation in cyberspace than they do on the ground," the report said.
Al Shabaab launched a two-week online fundraiser for its fighters in August 2009, which drew senior regional rebel leaders and hundreds of participants in the Somali diaspora, the report said.
Forum participants made pledges totaling more than $40,000 during the event at which the leaders told of the hardships facing fighters and their families.
"The Internet continues to play an important role in propaganda, recruiting and fund-raising by Somali armed groups," the monitoring group said.
ONLINE FATWA
The most active al Shabaab online outlet is www.alqimmah.net, established in September 2007 and registered in Sweden.
The site is used to disseminate and produce the rebel group's information material, "making it an integral part" of al Shabaab's propaganda.
Last August it posted a 47-page religious ruling, or fatwa, against the Djibouti peace process, which is aimed at putting together an inclusive Somali government.
The fatwa has provided Somali rebel groups with religious justification for waging war against the government of Somalia.
Alqimmah.net has also posted a link to a book entitled "The Science of Explosions and Explosives".
"The intention of the posting was apparently to make available to Shabaab supporters and sympathizers knowledge pertinent to bomb-making," the report said.
Al Shabaab is also using Internet forums to highlight its cooperation with foreign fighters who have joined its cause.
In one example, the proceedings of a ceremony to thank foreign fighters, and reportedly, to celebrate the marriage of some 50 of them to Somali women as a way to integrate them into Somali society, were relayed to participants of an online forum.
"The message was unmistakably to assure potential foreign volunteers that they could expect a similarly warm welcome if they joined the cause," the report said.
Other sites used to disseminate materials by al Shabaab cited in the report include somalimemo.com and ansarnet.info, while Hizbul Islam has links with jabiso.net, somalimirror.com and cadaalada.com and halgan.net.
FAST INTERNET
Despite its internal turmoil Somalia boasts some of the fastest Internet connections in Africa.
"By 2005, when most of Africa was still putting this infrastructure in place, Somalia, with the help of a huge diaspora population, developed the fastest and cheapest internet and telecommunications," said Rashid Abdi, Somalia analyst with the International Crisis Group.
Abdi described al Shabaab's use of the Internet as an increasingly common trend of "cyber-jihadism", which is difficult to control.
He cautioned against restricting Internet use in Somalia. "I would not recommend cutting off Somalia's Internet. It is just a catalyst not a root cause," he said, adding that it could also become a vehicle to help solve the conflict.
World
Technology
Add a Comment
More from Reuters
Court orders Fed to release bailout documents
NEW YORK (Reuters) - In a significant victory for news media, a federal appeals court said the Federal Reserve must disclose records on emergency lending programs to banks bailed out by the government in the financial crisis.
Sen Dodd urges Justice probe of Lehman accounting
Icahn offers to buy Lions Gate as MGM bid looms
EU seeks firm Greek aid plan
| Video
Banks' fourth quarter trading revenue falls 66 percent
Dow snaps eight-session streak as commodities weigh
| Video
» More Top News
Healthcare Reform:
Momentum on healthcare bill
Democratic leaders pushed undecided House members for support and voiced growing confidence they will win a close vote on the sweeping overhaul. Full Article | Video
What does reform mean for Obama?
Graphic: Projected effects of reform
Document: Amended health bill
Healthcare Reform
John Kemp:
Be careful what you wish for
The yuan debate is exposing dangerous illiteracy among policymakers: Despite the jobs boost for Americans, it would also cut our living standards. How? Commentary
China tries to cool U.S. yuan dispute
Factbox: Hints of divisions in China
Currencies
© Copyright 2010 Thomson Reuters
Editorial Editions:
Africa
Arabic
Argentina
Brazil
Canada
China
France
Germany
India
Italy
Japan
Latin America
Mexico
Russia
Spain
United Kingdom
United States
Reuters
Contact Us
Advertise With Us
Help
Journalism Handbook
Archive
Site Index
Video Index
Analyst Research
Mobile
Newsletters
RSS
Podcasts
Widgets
Your View
Labs
Thomson Reuters
Copyright
Disclaimer
Privacy
Professional Products
Professional Products Support
Financial Products
About Thomson Reuters
Careers
Online Products
Acquisitions Monthly
Buyouts
Venture Capital Journal
International Financing Review
Project Finance International
PEhub.com
PE Week
Thomson Reuters is the world's largest international multimedia news agency, providing investing news, world news, business news, technology news, headline news, small business news, news alerts, personal finance, stock market, and mutual funds information available on Reuters.com, video, mobile, and interactive television platforms. Thomson Reuters journalists are subject to an Editorial Handbook which requires fair presentation and disclosure of relevant interests.
NYSE and AMEX quotes delayed by at least 20 minutes. Nasdaq delayed by at least 15 minutes. For a complete list of exchanges and delays, please click here.
Other News on Saturday, 20 March 2010 Mideast Quartet tells Israel to halt settlements
German tax authorities probe Credit Suisse clients, staff
Brazil surgical robot fixes heart in Latin America first
BA strike to go ahead after talks collapse
Rocket fired from Gaza at Israel: army
At least 200 killed as Sierra Leone mine collapses
|
Palm shares plunge on weak forecast
Atom smasher reaches record energy levels: CERN
EU agrees to act to stop Iran jamming broadcasts, Internet
US military pushed for closure of CIA-Saudi website: report
Putin says Russia could sign up to Iran sanctions: RIA
|
US Army worries about 'threat' from whistleblower website
Google to add Maya, Nahuatl languages to search engine
Owner Postpones Auction For "Sex" Website
Somali rebels join forces in cyberspace: U.N. report
Icahn Makes Hostile Takeover Bid For Lions Gate
Mexican police ask spirits to guard them in drug war
|
Palm's survival questioned
Police Accidentally Raid House 50 Times ? And Counting
Ukraine's Yanukovich to repeal Bandera hero decree
|
Ashley Tisdale, Alyson Michalka Sign On For CW Cheerleading Drama
Somali rebels join forces in cyberspace: U.N. report
|
Palm Reports Q3 Loss, Analysts Cut Price Target To $0
Paralyzed Woman Takes 8th Floor Plunge
Zuma defends minister, demands spats end
|
"The Last Song" Star Hallock Beals Talks New Movie And Miley Cyrus
US breaks up vast China, Malaysia smuggling ring
Hidden Camera Reveals Babysitter Abusing Infant
Top Colombian rebel gets 20 years prison in U.S
FIFA excludes Indonesia's World Cup bid
Obama says history is nigh on health care
Pakistan arrests halt UN contacts with Taliban
Dutch PM slams 'disgraceful' Srebrenica gay comments
The Economist not published in Thailand
Russia, US on 'brink' of new arms treaty: Clinton
Activists urge Australia to charge Japanese whalers
Japan PM hints at leaving disputed US base on Okinawa
NKorean loggers in Russia making defection bids
Net produces new generation of China activists
SKorea appeals to France over looted royal books
Trial starts in British teen's slaying in India
Bollywood, Hollywood join hands against piracy
Somali rebels join forces in cyberspace: U.N. report
|
S.Korea rebuffs N.Korea threat to seize assets
Secrets unravel as "Breaking Bad" returns to TV
Losing the battle to keep female flesh off Afghan TV
Pakistani stocks, o/n rates flat; rupee firmer
German celebrity magazine admits fake interviews
Bharti to sell iPhone 3GS in India
Patti Smith to be honored by music industry
China warns US not to politicise yuan debate
Soviet space dogs blast-off to animated immortality
Street kids stage their own World Cup in South Africa
French makes inroads in Africa
Risque sex film arouses interest in Bollywood
Bollywood, Hollywood join hands against piracy
Court rules against Anna Nicole Smith in estate
|
FCC kicks off cable-broadcaster review
|
McLachlan to release first album in seven years
|
Losing the battle to keep female flesh off Afghan TV
|
Secrets unravel as Breaking Bad returns to TV
|
Neil Young documentary captures raw energy of live show
|
Sports endorsement firm eyes music world
|
MySpace trail leads US police to teen burglar
New venture from Facebook co-founder to promote charity
Obama to Iran
Opposition red shirts try to win over Thai capital
|
British boy receives pioneering stem cell surgery
US-TECH Summary
Supposed 'ETA terrorists' are just holidaymakers:report
New York food trucks turn to Twitter
Mousavi vows 'year of perseverance' against Iran regime
Israel strikes in Gaza after deadly rocket
|
Albanian stalemate can hit EU ambitions: official
Black and white meets new technology at photo show
Gunmen block roads in Mexico's drug-plagued north
|
'Red Shirts' take to streets to win over Thai capital
North Korea parliament to meet, Kim and cadres in focus
|
YouTube creators cashed in big on sale to Google: documents
Serbia-Kosovo row overshadows EU-Balkans summit
U.S. eyes early summer for airwaves auction process
US tanker bid war heats up with Airbus, Russia in wings
Hollywood stars help prevent suicide after Twitter alert
Legal adviser to U.S. Haiti missionaries arrested
|
Republican Leader Besieged After "Punk Staffers" Remark
High Number Of Student Suicides At Cornel University Causes Concern
Sanin wins Colombian conservative candidacy
|
$940 Billion Democratic Healthcare Bill In Final Lap Ahead Of House Vote
Appeals Court Orders Federal Reserve To Release Bailout Details
U.S. Markets Dip On Global Concerns, Dow Snaps Winning Streak
US, Russia, will sign nuclear treaty in April: report
Year's biggest sandstorm turns Beijing sky orange
Obama reaches out to Iranian people
Thai protesters begin weekend march around capital
Opposition "red shirts" try to win over Thai capital
7th anniversary of Iraq War passes, little noticed
Music biz insiders say Sony-Jackson deal makes sense
Yachting Team NZ draw first blood over Italians
North Korea sets date for parliament session
Putin offers U.S. hints of support
Pakistan army chief leaves to attend talks in US
'Red Shirts' take to streets to win over Thai capital
Obama optimistic on weekend healthcare vote
Nigeria "moving on" from political crisis
NKorean loggers in Russia making defection bids
U.S. envisions troop surge in northern Afghanistan
Sandstorms blanket Beijing in yellow dust
Smartphones not enough for carriers at CTIA
|
Japan marks 15th anniversary of subway gas attacks
New York food trucks turn to Twitter
|
U.S. eyes early summer for airwaves auction process
|
Pakistani c.bank buys 62.15 bln rupees of govt paper
Serial killings highlight Indonesian child abuse
India unexpectedly hikes rates a quarter point
SKorea vice fin min sees MSCI upgrade in H1-reports
South Korea national oil firm eyes Ghana's Jubilee
US to host 2011 APEC trade talks in Montana
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
'A dad like any other,' son says of drug lord Escobar
Bands explore promo potential of Chatroulette
Aretha Franklin does own thing with new album
|
Music biz insiders say Sony-Jackson deal makes sense
Bands explore promo potential of Chatroulette
|
"College" kid outdoes rap stars in digital sales
Childhood memories inspire new songs for Frampton
|
Ellen, Web site give gay teen $30,000 in prom flap
Aretha Franklin does "own thing" with new album
Childhood memories inspire new songs for Frampton
McLachlan to release first album in seven years
US weighs more troops for north Afghanistan: official
British Airways strike grounds flights but passengers fly
Pope's shame and remorse over Irish child sex abuse
|
Obama to Iran: U.S. offer of dialogue still stands
|
Israeli troops kill Palestinian in W.Bank: medics
|
Allawi edges ahead of PM again in Iraq election
|
Swarm Of Bees Attack 3, Critically Injures 2 Women
U.N.'s Ban in West Bank pushes for peace talks
|
India to get access to U.S. man on Mumbai attack
|
Thousands rally against Putin, dozens detained
|
Obama urges Senate action on finance reform
Nepal's Maoists say Koirala's death a blow to peace
|
Indonesian Muslims protest Israeli settlement plan
New threat puts Hemet officers on heightened alert
Thai protesters' caravan wends through capital
US official: India to question US terror convict
Bloated lake haunts North Dakota town again
Elderly Man Calls 911 Before Killing Wife And Himself
Tokyo marks 15th anniversary of subway gas attack
Trendy Sushi Restraunt Accused Of Selling Whale Meat Closing
Clerics tell Filipino Muslims to reject Estrada
Cambodia to build memorial for slain journalists
Aust. state named disaster zone as cyclone nears
Thai protesters stage weekend march around capital
Veteran Nepal politician Koirala dies at age 86
Cambodia bans citizens from marrying South Koreans
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights