Somalia Army Chief tells Eritrea-trained troops: Prepare for Al-Shabaab offensive

MOGADISHU, Somalia - The newly trained soldiers in Somalia have been requested to mentally and emotionally prepare for the crackdown against Al-Shabaab, following the activation of various military campaigns across the country meant to neutralize the militants in all frontlines further.

Major General Ibraahim Sheikh Muhuddin, the Chief of Defense Forces of the Somali National Army [SNA], said operations against Al-Shabaab will not stop any soon until the militants are "defeated in their own battles" across the country. The military is currently in central Somalia combing the area after months of retreat.

The army boss insisted that the soldiers trained abroad, particularly in Eritrea would have a huge task to perform in pursuing the group and neutralizing them. Thousands of soldiers trained in Eritrea and Uganda have since returned home to join others on the battlefield.

"Prepare the offensive against Al-Shabaab to liberate the country," he told them during his trip to the Somali Air Force base in Mogadishu where the soldiers are undergoing further training before being dispatched to the ground for operations.

He added: "We have a patriotic duty to defend the country and citizens from Al-Shabaab aggression and I believe we have the capacity and ability to liberate more areas from the group. You have been trusted with this duty for the love and patriotism and I am sure you'll make it."

Recently, Somalia asked the United Nations to halt the planned withdrawal of the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia [ATMIS] troops due to logistical challenges. The request has since been granted because the African Union Security and Peace Council has since admitted the request.

At least 3,000 more soldiers serving in ATMIS were expected to leave the country as the peacekeepers implement the Somali Transition Plan [STP] but they will now have to wait for December. It is anticipated that the mission troops will fully hand over security responsibilities to the Somali National Army by December 2024.

The troops are now expected to move to Jubaland and Southwest states where Al-Shabaab has been using as a temporary dwelling for their operations against the security forces. The militants have been fighting to topple the fragile UN-backed federal government of Somalia for the last 16 years.

GAROWE ONLINE