Sort-of. There are a small number of Al Qaeda fighters in Somalia. There was a chance that the Islamic Courts Union might eventually have become a Taliban-like Qaeda supporter. But that hadn't happened by the time the US and Ethiopia intervened, and it is significantly more likely now because of the public backlash the Ethiopians and US generated. Eventually the Ethiopians will leave and because of how they've bungled things, I suspect that Al Qaeda might just now take over.
That's why the US desperately needs to find a Somali alternative to the Islamists. Not an Ethiopian / foreign alternative but a native born one that won't generate nationalist resentment.
Sort of my ass. (pardon my french) Somalia is filled to the rafters with al qaeda. What's wrong with you and what are you trying to pull?
Look at your wording. 'Sort of', 'a chance', 'might eventually'. Are you an apologist or an enabler?
I suspect that Al Qaeda might just now take over.
I cannot believe what I'm reading concerning your post. al qaeda HAS taken over. Does the name Abduallahi Moalim Ali, ring any bells? How about Abdirahman Janaqow? The ICU is al qaeda and all your window dressing won't change that fact. Somalia's islamic thugs are giving sanctuary to our enemies.