For Somalis Caught Between Islamists and Weak Government, Fleeing is Only Option

Al-Shabab, the Islamist group that controls increasingly large swathes of Somalia, has instituted a repressive and violent regime that is forcing Somalis to flee to neighboring countries. Al-Shabab has gained strength despite an Ethiopian invasion, supported by the Americans, in 2006 designed to remove Islamists from power. Now, however, the internationally-supported government is paralyzingly weak and confined to Mogadishu and the American military is confining its support to counter-terrorism operations. Meanwhile, Somalis are flocking to camps in Kenya, Yemen, and elsewhere and telling stories of forced marriages, strict social rules, and harsh punishment. The American-supported actions appear only to have created a refugee crisis and done little to build a functioning state in this long-failed country. –YaleGlobal