Obviously.

SOMALIA – In a move that further prevents residents of Somalia’s Lower Shabelle region from accessing news and information, al-Shabaab is intimidating people who use smartphones, saying the hi-tech mobile devices could be used for spying.

The militants began their intimidation campaign October 10th, shortly after US commandos stormed a beach house in Barawe, targeting al-Shabaab commander Abdulkadir Mohamed Abdulkadir, who goes by the alias Ikrima.

Al-Shabaab operatives have since been asking residents gathered at public places and business establishments in the towns of Barawe, Bulo Burde and El Bur what kind of mobile phones they use. The militants interrogate anyone who possesses a smartphone, such as the iPhone, Samsung Galaxy and Blackberry devices, local residents told Sabahi.

Compared with regular mobile phones, smartphones allow users to surf the Internet, send and receive e-mails, and play videos.

Whenever they catch someone with a modern smartphone, al-Shabaab members will inspect the device, said Hassan Farah, a 35-year-old pharmacy owner in Barawe.