![](/index_files/voa.gif)
By Alisha Ryu
Nairobi
Monday, November 02, 2009
![Al-Shabaab fighters on patrol in Mogadishu, 30 Oct 2009 Al-Shabaab fighters on patrol in Mogadishu, 30 Oct 2009](http://www.voanews.com/english/images/AP_Somalia_Shabab_03OCT09.jpg) |
Al-Shabaab fighters on patrol in Mogadishu, 30 Oct 2009 |
Somalia's al-Qaida-linked al-Shabab militants are tightening their grip on areas of the country they already control, imposing new rules and punishing people they say are violating their radical brand of Islamic law. Some observers believe until a more powerful group emerges to bring law and order to the country, ordinary Somalis are not likely to challenge al-Shabab's violence-driven agenda.
![Ethiopian army officers during a farewell ceremony at the presidential palace in Mogadishu, Somalia, 13 Jan 2009 Ethiopian army officers during a farewell ceremony at the presidential palace in Mogadishu, Somalia, 13 Jan 2009](http://www.voanews.com/english/images/AP_Somalia_EthiopianTroops_.jpg) |
Ethiopian army officers during a farewell ceremony at the presidential palace in Mogadishu, Somalia, 13 Jan 2009 |
After the withdrawal of Ethiopian troops from Somalia and the election of an Islamist leader as president of Somalia's transitional federal government earlier this year, al-Shabab formed alliances with various clans and Islamist groups opposed to the government to maintain the group's grip on power.
![Al-Shabaab Islamists burn a Marijuana cache in Qoryoley in Somalia's Lower Shabelle region (File) Al-Shabaab Islamists burn a Marijuana cache in Qoryoley in Somalia's Lower Shabelle region (File)](http://www.voanews.com/english/images/AP_Somalia_Shabab_Drugs_14D.jpg) |
Al-Shabaab Islamists burn a Marijuana cache in Qoryoley in Somalia's Lower Shabelle region (File) |
And it is not just women who have to adhere to stricter rules. Scores of men have been arrested and beaten for indulging in their addiction to a mildly narcotic plant called khat. In some cities under al-Shabab control, barbers have been threatened with death for shaving or trimming beards.