Somalia's Text Message Insurgency -- BBC News
The name of Somalia's Islamist insurgent group al-Shabab - it means "The Lads" - may conjure images of a lovable band of rogues.
But the radical militia is a fiercely secretive and ruthless organisation with alleged links to al-Qaeda.
The leaders of the group - which has taken over swathes of central and southern Somalia - are unknown to their subordinates.
The middle lieutenants get their orders through text messages, or phone calls from recognised voices, giving them proof the instructions are coming from the right person.
The leaders of al-Shabab are called "emirs" and they do not usually come from the region they administer.
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