Mogadishu, Somalia — For years, al-Shabab has operated in the shadows of Mogadishu, blending into the city’s neighborhoods and enforcing its influence through fear.
But now, a new force is emerging to challenge the militant group – not government forces or international troops, but young people from the city itself.
A newly formed youth vigilante group has begun identifying and turning over suspected al-Shabab operatives to Somali security forces, a rare and potentially consequential act of civilian defiance.
The movement, still in its early stages, has already led to several arrests, according to local sources.
A PUBLIC REJECTION OF FEAR
The rise of this youth-led initiative comes at a time when Somali government forces, backed by international allies, have stepped up military operations against resurgent al-Shabab in rural areas.
But the battle in Mogadishu has always been different – one fought not in open combat but through infiltration, surveillance, and quiet intimidation.
Now, residents say, that dynamic may be shifting.
“This is a major turning point,” said Abdirahman Osman, a security analyst based in Mogadishu.
“For years, people lived in fear of speaking out. But when young people start hunting down operatives themselves, it means something fundamental has changed.”
The exact origins of the vigilante movement are unclear, but its emergence reflects growing frustration among ordinary Somalis who have seen their lives repeatedly upended by attacks.
One youth leader, speaking anonymously for security reasons, said the group’s goal is simple: “We refuse to be victims anymore. We know who among us is working for them. We are exposing them.”
Al-Shabaab, which has waged an insurgency against the Somali government for more than a decade, has long relied on its ability to operate undetected within communities.
While it exerts direct control over large rural areas, its presence in Mogadishu depends on a vast network of informants, logistical supporters, and sleeper cells.
Security experts believe that the rise of community-driven resistance could pose a significant challenge to this strategy.
“If the public starts actively identifying and handing over al-Shabab operatives, the group will struggle to maintain its underground networks,” said Ahmed Hassan, an expert on East African militant movements.
“It disrupts their ability to plan attacks, gather intelligence, and recruit new members.”
But this shift also raises concerns about retaliation.
In areas where al-Shabab has faced community pushback in the past, it has responded with extreme violence – targeted killings, assassinations, and bombings aimed at instilling fear.
“This is not a group that tolerates resistance,” Hassan added. “If these youth groups continue, we should expect al-Shabaab to make an example of them.”
While Somali authorities have welcomed increased civilian cooperation, officials are treading carefully.
“We appreciate the public’s vigilance, but we must ensure that legal procedures are followed,” said a Somali police official.
“No one should take justice into their own hands.”
His cautious tone is quite understandable.
A recent video circulating on social media shows a group of young men forcefully restraining, punching and shoving a man they claim is an undercover al-Shabab operative, apprehended in a Mogadishu district.
While the youth reportedly handed the suspect over to the police, the absence of visible law enforcement during the rough handling has sparked concerns among some about potential mob justice and civilians taking matters into their own hands.
In response, legal experts are urging state authorities to provide oversight and coordination, arguing that properly channeling public resistance against militants could yield long-term security benefits.
There is also the question of sustainability.
Past examples in Somalia and beyond – such as the Sahwa (Awakening) movement in Iraq, where tribal forces rose against al-Qaeda, show that while civilian-led resistance can be effective, it often requires state support to avoid turning into lawlessness.
“The government must decide quickly how to engage with these youth,” Osman, the security analyst, warned.
“If they ignore them, they risk leaving them vulnerable to retaliation. If they embrace them, they have to ensure these groups don’t turn into uncontrolled militias.”
For now, Mogadishu’s youth vigilantes are operating without clear official backing, fueled by frustration and a desire for change.
The coming weeks may determine whether this movement becomes a turning point in Somalia’s fight against al-Shabab or a brief flash of defiance that steadily fades away to militants advantage.
“We are not stopping,” said one young vigilante, defiant despite the risks.
“They have terrorized us for too long. Now, it’s their turn to be afraid.”
