Somalia army reopens roads, clears landmines ahead of anti-Al-Shabaab offensive

MOGADISHU, Somalia - The Somali National Army [SNA] conducted several operations in central Somalia, with the main focus being clearing of roads previously blocked by the Al-Shabaab militants besides detonating landmines planted along pathways in frontline regions.

According to the state media, the SNA's 26th Brigade, Ali Binu Dalib, conducted large-scale operations in the villages of Eel Gorof, Eel Borre, and Gedi Koror, located between the borders of the Hiraan and Galgaduud regions on Tuesday with the military now preparing to comb some of the areas where Al-Shabaab may have resumed activities.

Col. Ismail Abdi Malik Maallin, the commander of the 26th brigade of Ali Binu Abi Dalib, was in charge of the operations. According to him, the military was successful in opening the road that connects the Mahas and Wabxo districts where the militants had been flushed out recently.

During the operation, state media noted, the armed forces removed landmines that had been planted by terrorists on some of the roads. The militias who were present at the time fled the scene. This operation is part of an ongoing SNA-led offensive to eradicate terrorists from the country.

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has been in central regions to mobilize the final push of the first phase and to prepare for the second phase of the offensive. Already, Hassan Sheikh has held meetings with regional leaders while encouraging locals to take arms against the militants.

There are concerns about delayed military offensive in Jubaland and Southwest where the second phase was set to commence but generally, the military has managed to neutralize the Al-Shabaab in several frontlines. The African Union Transition Mission in Somalia and the US Africa Command have also played an important role in degrading Al-Shabaab.

Kenya, Djibouti, and Ethiopia were set to contribute more soldiers to the country for the operations but so far, it is not clear whether the troops will be released to Somalia. The ATMIS team has also started a drawdown of troops from the country in compliance with the Somali Transition Plan.

GAROWE ONLINE