About that al-Shabab rebranding …
On Thursday, we noted that Somalia’s al-Shabab had joined Twitter amidst reports that it was considering changing its name to reflect the fact that its members aren’t as young as they used to be (al-Shabab means "the youth"). Echoing an earlier report on the developments, we suggested the moves might be part of a larger ...
On Thursday, we noted that Somalia's al-Shabab had joined Twitter amidst reports that it was considering changing its name to reflect the fact that its members aren't as young as they used to be (al-Shabab means "the youth"). Echoing an earlier report on the developments, we suggested the moves might be part of a larger "rebranding" effort by the Islamic militant group.
On Thursday, we noted that Somalia’s al-Shabab had joined Twitter amidst reports that it was considering changing its name to reflect the fact that its members aren’t as young as they used to be (al-Shabab means "the youth"). Echoing an earlier report on the developments, we suggested the moves might be part of a larger "rebranding" effort by the Islamic militant group.
Al-Shabab’s resident tweeter, it seems, isn’t happy with that assessment. "
All reports of #AlShabaab re-branding are false!" the group’s Twitter feed declared earlier today. "Suggestion from Somali scholars was perhaps misconstrued as an official HSM statement." The account added a dose of media criticism (
"journalists are encouraged to verify and double-check their sources instead of regurgitating unreliable accounts often from subjective media") before turning its attention for the first time to the Kenyan military spokesman tweeting about his country’s offensive against the militant group.
"@MajorEChirchir 50,000 Ethiopian troops couldn’t pacify Somalia; you think a few disillusioned & disinclined Kenyan boys are up to the task?" al-Shabab taunted.
The Kenyan military spokesman, Maj. Emmanuel Chirchir, at first seemed hesitant to engage with the newly minted al-Shabab account, noting this morning that the Kenya Defense Forces
"is not keen on twitter war nor propaganda." But Chirchir, it seems, couldn’t resist.
"With Al Shabaab joining tweeter, lets take fight to their doorstep, lets follow them for a week then unfollow," he tweeted hours later. The mass unfollow — your newest addition to the brave new world of modern warfare.
Uri Friedman is a former deputy managing editor at Foreign Policy. Twitter: @UriLF
More from Foreign Policy
America Is a Heartbeat Away From a War It Could Lose
Global war is neither a theoretical contingency nor the fever dream of hawks and militarists.
The West’s Incoherent Critique of Israel’s Gaza Strategy
The reality of fighting Hamas in Gaza makes this war terrible one way or another.
Biden Owns the Israel-Palestine Conflict Now
In tying Washington to Israel’s war in Gaza, the U.S. president now shares responsibility for the broader conflict’s fate.
Taiwan’s Room to Maneuver Shrinks as Biden and Xi Meet
As the latest crisis in the straits wraps up, Taipei is on the back foot.
Sign up for World Brief
FP’s flagship evening newsletter guiding you through the most important world stories of the day, written by Alexandra Sharp. Delivered weekdays.
By submitting your email, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use and to receive email correspondence from us. You may opt out at any time.