Somali terrorist join al Qaeda

ABC News:

They've made it official. Al Qaeda has solidified its reach into Africa as the Somalia-based terror organization al Shabaabformally pledged allegiance to the followers of Osama bin Laden, according to a new video that recently surfaced online.

"I give you good news today that will make the faithful happy and the Crusaders cringe: al Shabaab in Somalia has joined al Qaeda," says al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri in the video. Zawahiri took over al Qaeda's leadership after U.S. Navy SEALs killed Osama bin Laden in May 2011. The video also features an audio statement allegedly by al-Shabaab leader Sheikh Abu Zubeyr in which he pledges allegiance to Zawahiri.

"The entire world attests that America's days are over and her rule has gone and her minions in the land of Muslims -- their end has come," the man identified as Zubeyr says.

However there was little cringing to be found among U.S. officials who said Zawahiri's message was old news.

"Zawahiri's announcement just formalizes what everyone already knew: al-Shabaab is an affiliate of al Qaeda," a U.S. official told ABC News. "This doesn't change the fact that al Qaeda's core is still suffering and trying to remain relevant."

... 

Both groups have been on a losing streak for some time now and the announcement is unlikely to change their fortunes.  Shabaab is being threatened by both Kenya and Ethiopia, plus the internal opposition within Somalia to the Islamic religious bigots.  Al Qaeda has been significantly weakened by US decapitation strikes.

One thing that could come out of the deal is more direct attacks by the US within Somalia by US drones and special operation units.