Bakool Governor: We are surrendered by Al-Shabaab, we don't have weapons

HUDUR, Somalia - Mohamed Abdi Tall, the Governor of Bakool region in Southwest state, says the region is under Al-Shabaab blockade and they are at risk of being captured due to a lack of weapons that can be used for beefing up the security and countering the militants in the frontlines.

The al-Shabaab militants are fighting to topple the fragile UN-backed federal government of Somalia. Despite their pressure, they have yet to conquer most parts of the country due to effective coordination by the Somali National Army (SNA) and foreign soldiers.

But Mohamed Abdi Tall says the residents of the region are at risk of being ruled by the Al-Shabaab due to a lack of weapons and logistical support, adding that the Federal government of Somalia is 'weak' to defend them.

"We face the grave threat of Al-Shabaab taking over. We are surrounded by Al-Shabaab and we don't have weapons to fight back, we're greater at risk of being killed by the militants and clan militia," said the governor, who has been leading the fight against Al-Shabaab.

"He added that Somali Govt is weak to defend them," he added while noting that the government has done little to protect civilians from the al-Shabaab rage, including the rampant killings in southern parts of the country.

The al-Shabaab group has, however, lost strategic towns across Somalia for the last year, following the activation of the first phase of operations against Al-Shabaab. The operations covered central Somalia within Galmudug and Hirshabelle regions.

But the operations are yet to be activated in Southwest and Jubaland regions, with the government blaming the stalemate on the lack of logistics. The SNA troops are expected to take over security responsibilities from the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) in the coming months.

ATMIS along with the US Africa Command have also been integral in the whole fight against Al-Shabaab. The al-Shabaab group is also said to be facing financial burden after the government closed most of its revenue sources.

GAROWE ONLINE