IN PICTURES: More Insurgent Photographs of Rallies Held by Somalia's Harakat al-Shabab to Mark Formal Affiliation with Al-Qa'ida Central

Harakat al-Shabab's spokesman, 'Ali Mahamoud Rage ('Ali Dheere)

The Somali insurgent-jihadi movement Harakat al-Shabab al-Mujahideen (Movement of the Warrior-Youth; Al-Shabaab) have issued a statement today announcing large-scale celebrations across Lower Shabelle by Somalis, civilians and insurgents, concerning the formal announcement of the movement's affiliation with Al-Qa'ida Central. For more on the formalization of relations, see my piece, "The Formalization of an Affiliation: Somalia's Harakat al-Shabab al-Mujahideen & Al-Qa'ida Central," at Al-Wasat. See the first set of photographs in yesterday's POST.