Aden Hashi Farah
Encyclopedia
Aden Hashi Farah "Ayrow" (d. 1 May 2008) was a leader of the Hizbul Shabaab, the armed wing of the Somali Islamic Courts Union (ICU). He was from the Ayr
sub-clan, part of the Habar Gidir
, which is a branch of the Hawiye
clan. He was reportedly married to Halima Abdi Issa Yusuf. He was among several militants killed in a U.S. airstrike
on May 1, 2008.
, Aweys selected him to go to Afghanistan
for further training.
before 2001, according to Matthew Bryden
of International Crisis Group
.
Here he was supposedly trained in explosives and other insurgent tactics, applying them in the Islamic Courts Union militias later on; notably with the Shiirkoole (Circolo) court of Mogadishu
.
According to International Crisis Group, it was after this stint with the terror organisation that he went back to Somalia in 2003 to set up a network with other al-Itihaad al-Islamiya
veterans to assassinate foreigners and opponents, culminating in the eventual deaths of four foreign aid workers and at least ten Somali former military and police officers. On June 10, 2006, The Guardian
repeated this story by stating, "An unnamed network run by one of Aweys's proteges, Aden Hashi Farah "Ayro", has been linked to the murder of four western aid workers and more than a dozen Somalis who allegedly cooperated with counter-terror organisations."
They also desecrated an Italian
cemetery in Mogadishu to great international outrage, and helped shelter and provide assistance to Al-Qaeda operatives in Banaadir
and the Lower Shabelle region of Somalia. During this period, Ayro's actions remained clandestine. (see page 8)
In July, 720 Somali volunteers were selected by Aden Hashi Farah "Eyrow" to travel to Lebanon
to fight against the Israel
is. Of those, only 80 returned to Mogadishu. In September, another 20 returned, along with five members of Hizbollah.
He was placed in charge of the Shabaab by Hassan Dahir Aweys, but an October 2006 article in The Economist
indicated Aweys may have had some regrets regarding the appointment.
The bankruptcy of a remittance company, Dalsan, International, whose staff included the brother of Aden Hashi Farah "Eyrow", involved the suspicious disappearance of $10 million dollars. It was alleged, "an ICU military leader managed to divert a large amount of money to help financially support the organization in their fight for the control of Mogadishu during the June 2006 confrontation with the former counter
terrorism alliance" (see page 39). (Also see ARPCT, Second Battle of Mogadishu
)
During Ethiopia's invasion of Somalia to oust the Islamic Courts Union militia from power, sources claimed by SomaliNet news that Aden led an elite-commando arm which caused stiff-resistance in the Baidoa
region, despite ICU forces beginning to retreat from fronts elsewhere.
deputy assistant secretary of defense for African affairs, in a press conference on January 17, 2007, said she believed the U.S. AC-130 gunship raid which occurred on January 8 had killed eight fighters linked to Aden Hashi Farah Ayro. Ayro was believed to have been wounded in the attack and perhaps killed. However, on March 7, 2007 an audio tape issued by Aden Hashi Ayro was sent to the Koran Radio station in Mogadishu.
, Salad Ali Jelle
, Aden Hashi Ayro was named by Al Qaeda as its leader in the wartorn nation. It was also reported by the Associated Press
that the United Nations
have attributed 16 killings to him, including BBC
journalist
Kate Peyton
. They also reported a failed attempt to bring down an Ethiopian airliner.
on his house in the town of Dhuusamarreeb
.
Paul Salopek
, writing in the Chicago Tribune
in an article entitled "U.S. appears to be losing its secret war in Somalia", reported that jihadists had vowed to kill every foreigner in Somalia in response.
Cayr
Ayr is a Somali clan, part of the Habar Gidir group .-Relations with the Islamic Courts Union:...
sub-clan, part of the Habar Gidir
Habar Gidir
The Habar Gidir are a Somali clan, part of the larger Hawiye group.The clan has produced some prominent Somali figures, such as Abdullahi Issa, the chairman of the Somali Youth League and first Prime Minister of Somalia prior to independence, Dr...
, which is a branch of the Hawiye
Hawiye
The Hawiye is a Somali clan. Members of the clan primarily live in central and southern Somalia, in the Ogaden and the North Eastern Province , and in smaller numbers in other countries. Like many Somalis, Hawiye members trace their ancestry to Irir Samaale...
clan. He was reportedly married to Halima Abdi Issa Yusuf. He was among several militants killed in a U.S. airstrike
Dhusamareb airstrike
The Dhusamareb airstrike took place on May 1, 2008, at around 3:00 am local time when an American plane dropped three large bombs on a house in the Dhuusamarreeb region in central Somalia...
on May 1, 2008.
Early life
Little is known about Aden Hashi Farah Ayro, though from his clan, it was known that he received little formal education of any kind before joining the Ifka Halane Islamic court in the mid-1990s under the tutelage of Sheikh Hassan Dahir Aweys. According to sources from the International Crisis GroupInternational Crisis Group
The International Crisis Group is an international, non-profit, non-governmental organization whose mission is to prevent and resolve deadly conflicts around the world through field-based analyses and high-level advocacy.-History:...
, Aweys selected him to go to Afghanistan
Afghanistan
Afghanistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located in the centre of Asia, forming South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. With a population of about 29 million, it has an area of , making it the 42nd most populous and 41st largest nation in the world...
for further training.
Afghanistan and Al-Qaeda
Aden Hashi Farah Ayro was said to have gone to Afghanistan to train with al-QaedaAl-Qaeda
Al-Qaeda is a global broad-based militant Islamist terrorist organization founded by Osama bin Laden sometime between August 1988 and late 1989. It operates as a network comprising both a multinational, stateless army and a radical Sunni Muslim movement calling for global Jihad...
before 2001, according to Matthew Bryden
Matthew Bryden
Matthew Bryden is an analyst who has been involved with several organizations working in and for Africa, and he has specialized in Somali affairs. He was a coordinator of the UN Security Council's Monitoring Group which monitors the flow of arms in and out of Somalia. His nomination to the post...
of International Crisis Group
International Crisis Group
The International Crisis Group is an international, non-profit, non-governmental organization whose mission is to prevent and resolve deadly conflicts around the world through field-based analyses and high-level advocacy.-History:...
.
Here he was supposedly trained in explosives and other insurgent tactics, applying them in the Islamic Courts Union militias later on; notably with the Shiirkoole (Circolo) court of Mogadishu
Mogadishu
Mogadishu , popularly known as Xamar, is the largest city in Somalia and the nation's capital. Located in the coastal Benadir region on the Indian Ocean, the city has served as an important port for centuries....
.
According to International Crisis Group, it was after this stint with the terror organisation that he went back to Somalia in 2003 to set up a network with other al-Itihaad al-Islamiya
Al-Itihaad al-Islamiya
Al-Itihaad al-Islamiya or AIAI is a defunct Islamist militant group in Somalia that was added to the U.S. list of terrorist organizations on September 24, 2001...
veterans to assassinate foreigners and opponents, culminating in the eventual deaths of four foreign aid workers and at least ten Somali former military and police officers. On June 10, 2006, The Guardian
The Guardian
The Guardian, formerly known as The Manchester Guardian , is a British national daily newspaper in the Berliner format...
repeated this story by stating, "An unnamed network run by one of Aweys's proteges, Aden Hashi Farah "Ayro", has been linked to the murder of four western aid workers and more than a dozen Somalis who allegedly cooperated with counter-terror organisations."
They also desecrated an Italian
Italian people
The Italian people are an ethnic group that share a common Italian culture, ancestry and speak the Italian language as a mother tongue. Within Italy, Italians are defined by citizenship, regardless of ancestry or country of residence , and are distinguished from people...
cemetery in Mogadishu to great international outrage, and helped shelter and provide assistance to Al-Qaeda operatives in Banaadir
Banaadir
Banaadir is a region in southeastern Somalia.-Overview:The Somali term Banaadir derives from the original Persian word بندر bandar, meaning "port" or "harbour"...
and the Lower Shabelle region of Somalia. During this period, Ayro's actions remained clandestine. (see page 8)
Islamic Courts Union
On June 15, 2006, Aden Hashi Farah "Eyrow" was said to have taken a load of arms sent from Eritrea.In July, 720 Somali volunteers were selected by Aden Hashi Farah "Eyrow" to travel to Lebanon
Lebanon
Lebanon , officially the Republic of LebanonRepublic of Lebanon is the most common term used by Lebanese government agencies. The term Lebanese Republic, a literal translation of the official Arabic and French names that is not used in today's world. Arabic is the most common language spoken among...
to fight against the Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
is. Of those, only 80 returned to Mogadishu. In September, another 20 returned, along with five members of Hizbollah.
He was placed in charge of the Shabaab by Hassan Dahir Aweys, but an October 2006 article in The Economist
The Economist
The Economist is an English-language weekly news and international affairs publication owned by The Economist Newspaper Ltd. and edited in offices in the City of Westminster, London, England. Continuous publication began under founder James Wilson in September 1843...
indicated Aweys may have had some regrets regarding the appointment.
The bankruptcy of a remittance company, Dalsan, International, whose staff included the brother of Aden Hashi Farah "Eyrow", involved the suspicious disappearance of $10 million dollars. It was alleged, "an ICU military leader managed to divert a large amount of money to help financially support the organization in their fight for the control of Mogadishu during the June 2006 confrontation with the former counter
terrorism alliance" (see page 39). (Also see ARPCT, Second Battle of Mogadishu
Second Battle of Mogadishu
The Second Battle of Mogadishu was a battle fought for control of Mogadishu, the capital city of Somalia. The opposing forces were the Alliance for the Restoration of Peace and Counter-Terrorism , and militia loyal to the Islamic Court Union . The conflict began in mid-February, 2006, when Somali...
)
During Ethiopia's invasion of Somalia to oust the Islamic Courts Union militia from power, sources claimed by SomaliNet news that Aden led an elite-commando arm which caused stiff-resistance in the Baidoa
Baidoa
Baidoa is a city in south-central Somalia, situated by road northwest of the capital Mogadishu. It is the capital of the Bay region, which is traditionally inhabited by the Digil and Mirifle clans....
region, despite ICU forces beginning to retreat from fronts elsewhere.
Attempt on life
Theresa Whelan, the U.S.United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
deputy assistant secretary of defense for African affairs, in a press conference on January 17, 2007, said she believed the U.S. AC-130 gunship raid which occurred on January 8 had killed eight fighters linked to Aden Hashi Farah Ayro. Ayro was believed to have been wounded in the attack and perhaps killed. However, on March 7, 2007 an audio tape issued by Aden Hashi Ayro was sent to the Koran Radio station in Mogadishu.
Al-Qaeda in Somalia
According to intelligence provided to Somalia's Deputy Defence MinisterDefence minister
A defence minister is a person in a cabinet position in charge of a Ministry of Defence, which regulates the armed forces in some sovereign nations...
, Salad Ali Jelle
Salad Ali Jelle
Salad Ali Jelle is the Deputy Minister of Defense of the Transitional Federal Government of the Republic of Somalia. He was a political figure in the War in Somalia fought between the TFG and its ally Ethiopia against the Islamic Courts Union .On January 5, 2007, after the victory over the ICU...
, Aden Hashi Ayro was named by Al Qaeda as its leader in the wartorn nation. It was also reported by the Associated Press
Associated Press
The Associated Press is an American news agency. The AP is a cooperative owned by its contributing newspapers, radio and television stations in the United States, which both contribute stories to the AP and use material written by its staff journalists...
that the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
have attributed 16 killings to him, including BBC
BBC News
BBC News is the department of the British Broadcasting Corporation responsible for the gathering and broadcasting of news and current affairs. The department is the world's largest broadcast news organisation and generates about 120 hours of radio and television output each day, as well as online...
journalist
Journalist
A journalist collects and distributes news and other information. A journalist's work is referred to as journalism.A reporter is a type of journalist who researchs, writes, and reports on information to be presented in mass media, including print media , electronic media , and digital media A...
Kate Peyton
Kate Peyton
Katherine Mary Peyton was Senior Producer for the BBC Johannesburg Bureau 2002-05...
. They also reported a failed attempt to bring down an Ethiopian airliner.
Death
On May 1, 2008, Ayro and another important leader of the Hizbul Shabaab, Sheikh Muhyadin Omar, were killed when the U.S. conducted an airstrikeAirstrike
An air strike is an attack on a specific objective by military aircraft during an offensive mission. Air strikes are commonly delivered from aircraft such as fighters, bombers, ground attack aircraft, attack helicopters, and others...
on his house in the town of Dhuusamarreeb
Dhuusamarreeb
Dhusamareb , also spelled Dhusa Mareb, is the capital of the central Galguduud region of Somalia.-Overview:Dhuusamarreeb, located , is an administrative center with a permanent population of 9000. The town has been in control of Islamic courts since early 2006...
.
Paul Salopek
Paul Salopek
Paul Salopek is a two-time Pulitzer Prize winning writer. Salopek was raised in central Mexico.-Life:Salopek received a degree in environmental biology from the University of California, Santa Barbara in 1984...
, writing in the Chicago Tribune
Chicago Tribune
The Chicago Tribune is a major daily newspaper based in Chicago, Illinois, and the flagship publication of the Tribune Company. Formerly self-styled as the "World's Greatest Newspaper" , it remains the most read daily newspaper of the Chicago metropolitan area and the Great Lakes region and is...
in an article entitled "U.S. appears to be losing its secret war in Somalia", reported that jihadists had vowed to kill every foreigner in Somalia in response.
External links
- U.S. Airstrike Kills Somali Accused of Links to Al-Qaeda Washington Post May 2, 2008