In the past year, there have been numerous incidents involving Al-Shabaab’s use of RC initiation systems. Among the variety of RC systems, which includes mobile phones, vehicle alarm systems and commercial systems, the use of RC systems formerly branded by the HONEST company is notable. Today, identical systems, also of Chinese manufacture, but under other brand names, are becoming more and more common in Somalia. In December 2022, Somali media published a presentation and demonstration by a Somali bomb disposal technician of Al-Shabaab’s combination of a commercial RC system and vehicle alarm system, where the former is used for arming, while the vehicle alarm system can also be activated via its anti-disturbance feature. Of note, the sensitivity of these RC systems means they can even be activated by approaching electromagnetic mine detection systems.
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