Somalia: Al-Shabaab plans to divide and infiltrate locals - president

FILE: President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud

MOGADISHU - Somalia's President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has claimed that Al-Shabaab militants have devised a new strategy not dividing and infiltrating the local community, arguing that the move could frustrate the fight against the militants who are responsible for destabilization in the country.

In a meeting with Galmadug President Ahmed Kaliye alias Qoor-Qoor and several traditional elders, President Hassan Sheikh urged the local leadership to work closely with residents for the country to effectively fight violent extremism, which has been a major menace for the last two decades.

Terrorists, he said, are responsible for dragging off the local economy, adding that the country can, however, overcome challenges through resilience and commitment. Traditional elders hailed the strategy to defeat the militants through sustained military offenses on all battle fronts.

"President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud met with traditional elders of Galmudug and its president, Qoor-Qoor, to discuss the ongoing offensive to liberate areas under AlShabaab control. Mohamud highlighted the terrorists' plans to divide and infiltrate locals to prolong their existence and impede societal progress," state media reports.

"He stated that Al-Shabaab terrorism is the biggest obstacle to Galmudug's development and the entire country. The traditional elders expressed gratitude for Mohamud's commitment to liberating the areas and ensuring a progressive and peaceful Somalia."

President Hassan Sheikh retired to Galmadug to push for the operations against the militants just months after the conclusion of the first phase of operations. The ongoing operations are meant to comb areas where the militants were not flushed out during the first phase of operations, Hassan Sheikh said.

Once combing is concluded, the Somali National Army [SNA], the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia [ATMIS], and the US Africa Command will focus on Jubaland and the Southwest states of Somalia. Already, military teams have been mobilized across the country for the second and perhaps final assault against the group.

Besides military operations, Somalia has also invested in tracking sources of revenue for the group, imposing sanctions on several mobile money transfer firms and closing bank accounts associated with the militants. The strategy is effectively worked, Hassan Sheikh added.

GAROWE ONLINE