U.S. law enforcement bulletin on al Qaeda mergerBy Carol Cratty
The merger of the Al-Shabaab terrorist group with al Qaeda could "diminish support" for Al-Shabaab within the American Somali community, but it does raise concerns it could further radicalize those sympathetic to al-Shabaab's cause, according to law enforcement officials. An intelligence bulletin, which was obtained by CNN, was issued by the FBI and Department of Homeland Security on Tuesday. It says the Somali community in the United States "likely will perceive increasing influence from an outside terrorist organization in Somalia as an impediment to stability there." The document says the merger could "undermine" efforts by Al-Shabaab supporters in the U.S. stating some have "previously claimed ignorance of al-Shabaab's designation as a foreign terrorist organization in court proceedings or otherwise indicated that they supported al-Shabaab primarily for nationalistic reasons. "Law enforcement officials do say the merger could "increase al Shabaab's appeal to homegrown violent extremists –including some ethnic Somalis - particularly those who are consumers of [al Qaeda] propaganda." The bulletin, which is sent to state and local law enforcement partners, notes messages appeared on Internet media forums last week in which an Al-Shabaab leader pledged loyalty to al Qaeda. That was followed by a video from al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri welcoming the group. The two terrorist groups had less formal links before the announcements. U.S. officials said there is no indication the merger announcement is related to any possible plotting against the United States. However, the bulletin says the merger "could rally some already radicalized individuals to travel to Somalia to join al-Shabaab or, over the longer term, to adopt al-Qa'ida's focus on anti-Western plotting."In the document, federal officials urge state and local law enforcement to be on the watch for any suspicious activity. The bulletin, which is sent to state and local law enforcement partners, notes messages appeared on Internet media forums last week in which an Al-Shabaab leader pledged loyalty to al Qaeda. That was followed by a video from al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri welcoming the group. The two terrorist groups had less formal links before the announcements. U.S. officials said there is no indication the merger announcement is related to any possible plotting against the United States. However, the bulletin says " the merger could rally some already radicalized individuals to travel to Somalia to join al-Shabaab or, over the longer term, to adopt al-Qa'ida's focus on anti-Western plotting." In the document federal officials urge state and local law enforcement to be on the watch for any suspicious activity. © 2010 Cable News Network. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. All Rights Reserved. |