When the Ethiopian military entered Somalia in 2006 to assist the former Somali president Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed's government, it triggered an influx of foreign fighters, who flooded Somalia to engage the Ethiopian forces under the auspices of a holy war, or jihad. The Somali government estimated that at least three thousand foreign fighters were based in Somalia at the time, though US government estimates are much lower, at about 500.
The foreigners were warmly welcomed in Somalia by the Islamist group al-Shabaab, who viewed them as an opportunity to better confront and expel the Ethiopian forces and gain popularity among the masses.
The foreigners have had a great impact on the Somali people. Friendships and intermarriages between them increased. Many foreigner fighters managed Al-Shabaab schools, centers for mobilization and training camps, and yet were barely visible among the public.
On August 6, 2011, these foreigners were expelled from Mogadishu following heavy fighting with African Union (AMISOM) and Transitional Federal Government (TFG) forces. They left behind their Somali wives and children.
Shuuto Juuni Mohamed and her five friends were married to their foreign teachers, who taught in a religious center known as "Markiz." The Mujahideen left them behind when TFG and AMISOM took control of Mogadishu.
In an exclusive interview with 20 year-old Shuuto, who is mother to a two year-old baby boy, she told Somalia Report about her marriage to a foreign al-Shabaab fighter and life after his departure.
How did you get married to a foreign fighter?
In 2008, I used to go an Islamic school in Bakaara Market. I did not think that the school was run by al-Shabaab fighters. Most of the lessons were in relation to jihad and hating the west. Our teachers also encouraged us to warmly welcome the foreign fighters who were with al-Shabaab.
They advised us to obey them and get married to them so that they would be a part of us. After attending school for more than a year, our Somali teachers were replaced by foreign instructors who got involved with some of the girls and, after mutual agreements and arrangements, married them.
A Sudanese man approached me and expressed his interest in me by proposing to me and I accepted. My family was unhappy with my decision but I was content and they had to accept it. A delegation from my husband met with my father to negotiate the matter, and his proposal was approved. A few days later, our wedding took place in Mogadishu.
What compelled you to marry a foreigner instead of a Somali man?
My family did not approve of my marriage but I was convinced of it since I was a jihadist supporting Islam. My friends and I believe in the ideals of these fighters, so marrying a foreigner seemed no different from marrying a Somali man.
What is your husband’s name and nationality?
His name is Masud Abdi Rabbi and he is from Sudan. He is a trainer and commander and has taken part in certain battles in Somalia since 2006 when the Islamic Courts Union controlled south and central Somalia.
Where is your husband now?
I don’t know where he lives but he calls me sometimes, I suspect that he is still in Somalia, probably in the south of Somalia.
Have you ever taken part in fights in Somalia?
No, but several times I went to battlegrounds in Mogadishu where fights were going on, with other girl friends. We were helping the fighters by supplying water, food and ammunition.
Do you worry about the future? What will become of you if your husband disappears?
I never worry because I am a faithful Muslim and I believe that my future is predestined. Other Mujahideen have promised to help me and they will not desert me or my son. My husband has not sent us a shilling for our upkeep since he left Mogadishu but his colleagues support us, like Fu'ad Shangole (a senior al-Shabaab official).
Somalia Report also managed to conduct an interview with Shuuto’s father, Juuni Mohamed.
"My daughter was brainwashed by a group of terrorists. I did not approve of her marriage to a foreigner who would eventually leave the country. This occurred when al-Shabaab was overpowered in Mogadishu and many foreigners fled to Yemen.
How did your daughter end up marrying someone you didn't know?
Actually, I had no choice in the matter. I was obliged to permit it since many families have been harmed when they refused similar engagements. Also, my daughter was ready to marry this foreign fighter and she was loyal to al-Shabaab. I later moved to the areas controlled by the government and when they found out about this they sent me threatening messages branding me as a fugitive.
At that time al-Shabaab was in control of large parts of Mogadishu and I feared they would catch me. However, they were defeated and forced to flee from Mogadishu.
So my daughter was deserted and she called me, telling me that she was all alone without her husband. I went to pick her up, but later she secretly moved to Elasha Biyaha where her other friends live. I worry that the Somali government will learn that my daughter is here and they may arrest and seize her foreign son, perceiving him as a young terrorist. She later came to Mogadishu to visit her sick sister but will return to Elasha Biyaha, where she officially resides now.
This is a difficult situation for me and my family. We fear we are at risk because of her child. The TFG may seize him and my daughter will not give up her son. I am displeased to have links with al-Qaeda, and that al-Shabaab is in a position to hunt me.
The presence of foreign Islamist militant fighters in Mogadishu has adversely affected family relations among locals. Shifting loyalties and faith-infused propaganda has resulted in complex relations that are dictated by fear and an innate will to survive. Family members like Juuni Mohamed and his daughter Shuuto are estranged by the ideals and opinions introduced by these alien fighters.