MOGADISHU (Somaliguardian) – In a notable shift in strategy, Al-Qaeda-affiliated militant group Al-Shabaab has eased its long-standing ban on smartphones and internet use in towns it seized earlier this year from Somali government forces and allied militias. The move appears aimed at reshaping its image and winning over local populations in contested areas.
For the first time, videos have surfaced on platforms such as TikTok showing young men and women using smartphones freely, some recording videos in Al-Shabaab-held areas, where the group’s black banner could be seen flying. The imagery marks an unprecedented public display from territories under Al-Shabaab control, signaling a possible change in policy and outreach.
Analysts view the development as a calculated attempt by the group to counter the federal government’s narrative that paints the militants as barriers to modernization and technological advancement. The strategic loosening of restrictions may be intended to portray Al-Shabaab as more tolerant and in tune with younger generations, particularly in contrast to the government’s perceived failures.
In several videos, residents can be seen casually filming or capturing footage as Al-Shabaab fighters walk past – an apparent demonstration that fear of retribution has diminished in these newly-captured areas.
However, it’s unclear whether the policy shift extends to the group’s long-held strongholds in regions such as Lower Shabelle and Middle Juba, where no user-generated content has yet emerged.
This latest maneuver is consistent with Al-Shabaab’s broader strategy of blending its ideology with tactical governance. In areas under its control, the group has constructed schools, health centers, and roads, offering basic infrastructure where state presence is absent or dysfunctional. In addition to these services, it has operated local courts, distributed food rations during droughts and floods, and maintained relative security – all steps designed to secure loyalty or compliance from local communities.
The change comes amid a deteriorating security and political landscape in Somalia. International observers warn that the country – particularly the capital Mogadishu – risks following an “Afghanistan-style” trajectory. The Somali federal government remains heavily reliant on foreign aid, even as donor fatigue sets in, funding for the African Union’s restructured peacekeeping mission hangs in the balance, and endemic corruption continues to undermine state institutions.
As the federal government struggles to maintain territorial gains and public trust, Al-Shabaab’s latest move signals an increasingly sophisticated effort to win not just the battlefield, but the battle for perception and legitimacy.
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