Elders in Somalia unite to fight Al-Shabaab

MOGADISHU, Somalia - Senior elders from central Somalia have united in the fight against Al-Shabaab militants, in a rare show of comradeship, amid ongoing military and local mobilization against the group, which has been reigning terror on innocent civilians and security forces.

Clan elders vowed to support military efforts against the Al-Shabaab militants while requesting locals to join hands with the government in flushing out the militants from strategic areas. The leadership met at Wara Dhumale in central Somalia.

Ali Jeyte Osman, the former Hiiraan Governor, army commanders, and local politicians from HirShabelle and Galmadug states attended the strategic meeting which has been termed as "all-important" by senior security analysts from the Horn of Africa nation.

Osman, who fell out with HirShabelle President Ali Gudlawe Hussein, said Al-Shabaab has been causing havoc among the locals, adding that the opportunity has come to "eliminate them completely". He is well known for clan mobilization against the militants in the first phase of military operations.

"Today is the time when we will not tolerate the militants killing our people," stated the former governor.

Mohamed Abukar Jafar, a regional legislator, said such collaboration would make the ongoing military campaigns easier and affordable. The military resumed operations against Al-Shabaab in central areas recently following a successful first phase of operations which killed many militants dead.

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud visited several areas, including Mahas recently to motivate security teams in the frontline while asking locals to also join the fight. Once the combing exercise is complete within Galmadug state, the military will move to Jubaland and Southwest states.

The Al-Shabaab militants have been on the receiving end, a progress acknowledged by US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin III, who visited Djibouti recently. Austin announced Washington's commitment to supporting local forces to overcome Al-Shabaab resistance.

GAROWE ONLINE