New Somali extremist leader rises

As reported in 'The Japan News' : Photo Open Source New Somali extremist leader rises The Associated Press MOGADISHU (AP) — The new leader of Somalia’s Al-Shabab extremist rebels, Ahmad Umar, is described as a compelling leader who is expected to maintain the Islamic militant group’s violent attacks against the Mogadishu government and other targets. Umar is confronted by a stepped up campaign against Al-Shabab by the Somali government and African Union forces that are closing in on the rebels’ last major stronghold, the town of Barawe in southern Somalia. In addition the U.S. hit Al-Shabab with the airstrikes that killed the group’s previous leader, Ahmed Abdi Godane, last week. Umar takes over a group that has seen its control of Somali territory diminish significantly and which has been resorting to terror attacks at home and abroad. Believed to be in his 50s, Umar rose to power in Al-Shabab amid a purge last year of critics of the group’s leaders. “He’s a man whom they believe can maintain Godane’s power grip and creeds,” said a Somali intelligence official who insisted on anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the press. He described Umar as “charismatic.”Speech