A video widely circulated on social media has been falsely linked to a recent Al-Shabaab attack on US base in Somalia, with claims that the assault was carried out in response to the ongoing war in Gaza.
The footage, which has garnered hundreds of thousands of views on X (formerly Twitter), was shared with captions alleging:
“Al-Shabaab officially announces responsibility for a major attack on the American base in retaliation for the Gaza war.
This is the first strike, and greater ones are coming.”
Verification Reveals the Video Is Old
A fact-check by CNN Arabic confirmed that the video is not new.
It actually dates back to January 5, 2020, when Al-Shabaab militants attacked the Manda Bay military base in Kenya, which housed both U.S. and Kenyan troops.
The video was first released by Al-Shabaab a year later, in January 2021, as part of its propaganda campaign.
Read also: Will Somalia Anti-Terror Campaign Succeed and How Can the Country Solve Political Tensions?
2020 Manda Bay Attack
During the original assault, three Americans were killed—including one U.S. soldier and two contractors. Al-Shabaab attack on US base also caused significant material damage to the base, highlighting Al-Shabaab’s continued threat in East Africa.
Why the Video of Al-Shabaab attack on US base was Resurfaced Now
The recycled footage began circulating again amid reports of a new Al-Shabaab attack on US base in Kismayo, southern Somalia.
Analysts suggest that old clips are often reused in misinformation campaigns to amplify fear and propaganda during periods of heightened conflict, such as the ongoing war in Gaza.
The viral video linking Al-Shabaab’s alleged recent actions in Somalia to the Gaza conflict is misleading and outdated.
The footage is from 2020 Manda Bay attack in Kenya, not a new strike.
As conflicts intensify, social media users are urged to verify information and rely on credible sources to avoid falling victim to disinformation campaigns.
