Al-Shabab and pro-Islamic State militants in Somalia are engaged in an economic war, and it is the country's business sector that is getting cut down in the crossfire, as rival groups are targeting companies with demands for taxes, reports @HarunMaruf voanews.com/a/in-somalia-b…
For years Al-Shabab has used Somali business owners to finance its activities and now pro-IS groups are copying their tactics, says @HarunMaruf voanews.com/a/in-somalia-b… 
In the past, Somali businesses have managed to survive and even thrive during Somalia's instability, but they are now being choked too much. And the businesses have no option but to pay, says @Baaraandag of @HiraalInstitute voanews.com/a/in-somalia-b…
Al-Shabab's finance department has "become the most ruthless collection entity in Somalia," according to a @HiraalInstitute report, and is and is the main threat to the business community, reports @HarunMaruf voanews.com/a/in-somalia-b…
Al-Shabab's greatest source of revenue comes from taxing vehicles that are transporting goods through Shabab-controlled territory, says @HarunMaruf voanews.com/a/in-somalia-b…
Al-Shabab's "taxes" on businesses are often ad-hoc, random, and unrealistic, according to @HarunMaruf voanews.com/a/in-somalia-b…
The @HiraalInstitute estimated that in 2017, Al-Shabab collected $27 million through their so-called "tax" system, says @Baaraandag
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In terms of taxation, Al-Shabab operates more effectively than the federal government, says @MattBryden
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Meanwhile, in an effort to survive, Islamic State militants have returned to cities to raise funds by targeting businesses. The Somali government is unable to protect the business community from extortion demands, leaving them vulnerable, says @HarunMaruf voanews.com/a/in-somalia-b…
