Hassan Sheikh returns to central Somalia as clans mobilize against Al-Shabaab

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud returned to central Somalia on Saturday amid ongoing clan mobilization against Al-Shabaab, just ahead of the second phase of operations against the group which has been dominant in the country for the last 16 years.

Before his arrival in Dhusamareb, the regional administrative capital of Galmadug, several locals were captured in various footage preparing for the onslaught against the militants and were waiting for "official" permission from the head of state.

The return to central Somalia manifests that Hassan Sheikh is keen to completely eradicate Al-Shabaab from Galmadug and HirShabelle states just before the second phase of operations against the group commences in Jubaland and Southwest states.

"President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud will temporarily work in Dhusamareb to escalate and conclude the first phase of the offensive against terrorism. This development follows the government's declaration of a total war against terrorism, announced today in Mogadishu," state media reported.

"The second phase of the offensive is expected to begin soon with the participation of frontline states, including Kenya, Ethiopia, and Djibouti. This phase aims to completely eradicate terrorism," it added.

The first phase targeted Galmadug and HirShabelle states but there is a feeling Al-Shabaab is still troublesome and problematic in the region, thus the programme to comb the region before the second phase which will target southern parts of Somalia.

Kenya, Djibouti and Ethiopia have agreed to deploy soldiers who are not attached to the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia [ATMIS] for a period of three months during the second phase. The soldiers will work under the command of the Somali National Army, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud said.

Somalia is pushing to eliminate the terror group and subsequently, create a conducive environment for economic prosperity. When he took over from Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed better known as Farmajo, Hassan Sheikh pledged to completely eradicate Al-Shabaab militants.

GAROWE ONLINE