Somalia: Farmajo withdraws troops from regions amid fears of imminent war

MOGADISHU, Somalia - The outgoing Somalia President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo has reportedly withdrawn troops from several parts of Somalia, which are said to be firmly behind the opposition, even as the country struggles to restore order following Sunday's clashes in Mogadishu.

A group of soldiers allied to the opposition team and those loyal to Farmajo engaged in a fierce gunfight, leading to the death of at least four people. The opposition team still controls the capital Mogadishu according to reports.

In what seems to be a retreat, Farmajo is said to have recalled troops working in the Gedo region within Jubaland where the political leadership has been wrangling over their presence. Jubaland President Ahmed Islam Mohamed Madobe had often called for the withdrawal of these troops from the region.

Also, their counterparts in Galmadug and Hiraan have also been recalled, and the entire team is said to be headed to Mogadishu. Multiple sources hinted to Garowe Online that the troops are under strict instructions to end the siege in Mogadishu.

Further, sources indicate that the reason Farmajo is attacking the opposite positions so quickly is that he fears more defection from SNA officers which is underway. A number of troops have defected to the opposition.

On Tuesday, Turkish-trained Haram'ad police raided the independent radio station 'Mustaqbal media' in Mogadishu for covering the latest clashes in the capital. The troops put the FM radio off-air, confiscate equipment, and beat the editor according to the management.

On the other hand, pro-opposition forces protecting opposition leader Abdirahman Abdishakur, Sadak John, and Yusuf Indha'ade moved out of the Abdikasim area to Sigale village around Dabka junction, where they set up a new base joining Ja'far side who is in control of Howlwadag district.

And on Monday night, troops arrived in the Hodan neighborhood where the chairman of the Wadajir party Abdirahman Abdishakur stays.
Reports say that the forces ordered the residents of the Siigaale neighborhood in Hodan district to vacate their homes.

It is not known why the new troops arrived in the area but reports indicate that the forces loyal to Farmajo want to retake the neighborhoods captured in recent days by pro-opposition forces opposed to Farmajo's illegal term extension.

GAROWE ONLINE