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'Omar Hammami, aka Abu Mansour Al-Amriki
In a statement in English posted today (December 17, 2012) on its official Twitter account (@HSMPress), the Somali jihad group Al-Shabab Al-Mujahideen renounces the American jihadi 'Omar Hammami, aka Abu Mansour Al-Amriki.
Hammami (28), who joined Al-Shabab in 2006, participated in many of its military operations and eventually became a field commander. He has also appeared in several of the group's propaganda videos. In November 2012, he was added to the FBI's most wanted terrorists list for his membership and activity in this jihad organization. However, in March and October 2012, Hammami posted videos on his YouTube channel in which he stated that deep disagreements had formed between the group's Somali leadership and the foreign fighters in its ranks, and that, as a result, Al-Shabab was threatening his life.[1]
Responding to these videos, the Al-Shabab Twitter statement declares that Hammami no longer holds any position in the group, and that he does not represent its opinions or even those of the non-Somalis in its ranks. It describes him as narcissistic and childish, saying that his image as a key-figure in the group is an exaggeration invented of the media. Furthermore, it accuses him of inventing the claims about friction within Al-Shabab, and of timing the release of his videos to coincide with the Kenyan and Ethiopian attacks on Al-Shabab-controlled regions, with the aim of providing moral support to the enemies and sowing discord among the mujahideen.
The following are excerpts from the message, in the original English (lightly edited for clarity):
"In the last few months the story of Abu Mansur Al-Amriki has been playing out in the media circles, not only feeding the narrative of the Western media that deep ideological differences were beginning to devour the Mujahideen in Somalia, but also leaving the Muslim Ummah extraordinarily confounded with a string of video releases that have stimulated a wide range of diverse reactions.
"In the light of these events, and for the sake of clarification of the intricacies surrounding the Abu Mansur saga, Harakat Al-Shabaab Al-Mujahideen hereby declares that Abu Mansur Al-Amriki does not, in any way, shape or form, represent the views of the Muhajireen [i.e., foreign fighters] in Somalia. The opinions expressed by Abu Mansur, the alleged frictions, and the video releases [he published], are merely the results of personal grievances that stem purely from a narcissistic pursuit of fame and are far removed from the reality on the ground.
"Following the footsteps of the Noble Messenger, Muhammad (may peace and blessings be upon him) and [of other] pious predecessors, the Mujahideen remain faithful to the lofty aspirations of their faith. [They are] strengthened by the bond of brotherhood, motivated by the rewards of altruistic self-sacrifice for [the sake of] their Muhajireen brothers, and their path [is] illuminated by the creed of Al Walaa-Wal-Baraa (Alliance and Enmity).
"The Jihadi [arena] accommodates people of all sorts. Some, above others, occasionally rise to prominence, often with little merit save for their uniqueness. Contrary to [his portrayal] as a grand strategist, recruiter and fund-raiser by the Western media, Abu Mansur Al-Amriki does not [in fact] hold any position of authority within Harakat Al-Shabaab Al Mujahideen.
"Despite their fair share of surprise at the turn of events, however, the Mujahideen did not immediately rush to reprimand him, but instead saw it appropriate to [emulate] the noble path of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) in resolving the situation, that is, [the path of] Naseeha or giving advice to the[ir] brother.
"To err is human, but Islamic Shari’ah has carved for us a clearly-defined path for dealing with disputes, should they arise, and [for] remedying the mistakes of our fellow Muslim brothers. For months, the Mujahideen have been offering advice to Abu Mansur in private, without publicly rebuking him, employing every possible avenue to veil his faults, overlook his shortcomings and conceal the egregious errors he [has] committed from the eyes of the Muslim Ummah, in the hope that Allah would guide [both] him and us to the path of righteousness... It is regrettable, however, that all such efforts have been fruitless despite the numerous attempts. Therefore, when a person rejects the sincere advice of his brothers in private, it becomes religiously and morally incumbent upon the mujahideen to publicly advise the Muslim Ummah of his obstinacy and [his] insistence on sowing disunity among the vanguards of this Ummah.
"The series of video releases [by Abu Mansour] – one in March, when the Kuffar were preparing to invade the Islamic Administrations in [the] Lower Shabeelle region, and another in October, just after the Kenyans had invaded the port city of Kismayo, in Lower Jubba region – were intended to serve a broader purpose. The timing of the releases [to coincide with] the convergence of the entire East African nations upon the Mujahideen [was] not entirely coincidental, but a calculated attempt to draw attention to the alleged voices of dissent within the ranks of the mujahideen at a time when they were most likely to be under pressure from their enemies, so as to cultivate the destructive seeds of disunity. But Allah is the best disposer of all affairs; the seeds failed to germinate, 'and the evil plot encompasses only him who makes it [Koran 35:43].’
"We sincerely apologise to the Muslim Ummah in general, and our Mujahideen brothers in all the fields of Jihad in particular, for having to witness such childish petulance in one of the [arenas] of Jihad, reminding them that the caravan of Jihad cannot and will not, inshallah, be derailed from its tracks, [and that] the spirit of this great Ummah [will not be] dampened by the superficial allegations, frivolous ramblings and whimsical desires of those who wish to enhance their image at the price of Jihad and the mujahideen..."
Endnote:
[1] See: In An Unexpected Appearance, American Al-Shabab Commander 'Omar Hammami Says His Life Is Endangered By Al-Shabab Due To Differences Over 'Shari'a' And 'Strategic Matters and MEMRI Special Dispatch No. 5020, "In Second 'Urgent Message,' American Al-Shabab Commander 'Omar Hammami Confirms Major Schism Between Somali And Foreign Al-Shabab Fighters, Urges Al-Qaeda Leadership To Intervene", October 19, 2012.
