Madobe: We are liberating Jubaland from Al-Shabaab

KISMAYO, Somalia - The president of Jubaland Ahmed Madobe has insisted that his forces are determined to liberate the state from the jaws of Al-Shabaab, a group that has been causing havoc in Somalia for over a decade, adding that he's ready to steer peace and stability in the area.

During his recent trip to Kumbale, Eelcad, Canjeel, Harboole, and Jana-Abdalle which had been under the control of Al-Shabaab for a long time, Madobe said the regional forces will also ensure there is normalcy in all liberated areas around the state, with the installation of the civilian rule being on top of his priority list.

Madobe commended the various military units fighting against the militants in the region saying it is through their sacrifice that Jubaland people are living in peace and said soon, all areas in the region will be liberated. Jubaland is yet to be liberated fully despite efforts by the regional and national forces.

Besides the two entities, the US Africa Command, the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia [ATMIS], and local militia have been instrumental in the fight. Kenya Defense Forces [KDF] component and that from Ethiopian National Defense Forces [ENDF] are stationed in some areas within Jubaland.

Last year, the US Africa Command redeployed about 500 soldiers to Somalia over 12 months after Washington repositioned them elsewhere and President Joe Biden has insisted that the US is keen to see the fall of Al-Shabaab. The United States is also targeting financiers and revenue sources of the group.

The second phase of operations against Al-Shabaab is set to be launched soon by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud who has also shown "total commitment" to the fight. During the first phase, the government claimed over 3000 militants were killed and 3,700 others critically injured.

Clerics have also been brought on board to assist in fighting violent extremism in Somalia as part of popularizing the ideological aspect of reducing radicalization of the youth. The group is fighting to topple the fragile UN-backed federal government of Somalia with an aim of installing Sharia Law.

GAROWE ONLINE