Al-Shabaab militants battle to regain control of southern Somalia

MOGADISHU, Somalia - After a series of losses in southern Somalia, the Al-Shabaab militants have now returned to claim for the region, waging a series of attacks against senior government officials, the security forces, and innocent civilians, something which has literally affected operations in the region.

For a long time, the Lower Shabelle region had been the focal point for the operations of the Somalia-based militants, given that recruitment and training of the youth were taking place in the area. The radicalization of youth in the region had been rampant.

But last year, security forces drawn from the US Africa Command, the Somali National Army, and the African Union Mission Forces have pitched tents in the area, substantially minimizing terror activities following sophisticated operations.

The operations, reports indicate, left several towns liberated from the militants besides also leaving many of them dead. Others, the Somali National Army said, have since defected the militants and have been cooperating with the government.

But in recent weeks, the militants are said to have returned to the liberated regions where they have been meeting violence on innocent civilians besides collecting taxes which are said to be sustaining their operations across the region.

On Saturday, Southwest State leader Lafta-Garen visited Hudur town, where thousands of Somalis are suffering behind the Al-Shabab Islamist food blockade. The militants, he noted, have blocked key supply routes to the region.

"We are determined to ensure these people are defeated," he said, noting that: "They have made it impossible for well wishes to distribute food to the suffering population that is in dire need. It's time Somalis rise against these extremists who are making it difficult for the people of Somalia."

The southwest leader, who is a close ally of President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo, asked locals to cooperate with security forces with an aim of ensuring that the region is liberated from the militants. Also, he hailed security forces for "determined" efforts to ensure the region is safe

GAROWE ONLINE