Somalia: ‘Jubba River offensive’ to liberate Al Shabaab-held areas in Jubaland

KISMAYO, Somalia, May 21, 2015 (Garowe Online)-Somalia’s Jubaland administration has announced a fresh military offensive dubbed Webbiga-Jubba [or Jubba River] in a bid to liberate areas remaining under the control of Al Shabaab militants, Garowe Online reports.

Jubaland Vice President Gen. Abdullahi Sheikh Ismael (Fartaag) told the media that Jubaland forces along with African Union peacekeepers will start thrusting into Al Shabaab-controlled territories in the region.

“Jubaland forces will no longer be in Bulogadud, they will go ahead with the decisive operation of ‘Jubba River’ to capture areas under Al Shabaab control,” said Gen. Fartaag.

Fartaag didn’t set a date for the anti-militant push. However the remarks follow a visit to Bulogadud frontline by Federal Government of Somalia’s Minister for Defence Gen. Abdullahi Sheikh Ismael Fartaag.

Meanwhile in the southern port city of Kismayo, unidentified assailants have gunned down prominent clan elder Mohamud Hassan Dhogor in Farjano neighborhood.

Dhogor was among a group of traditional elders who selected the newly formed 75-member regional assembly. 

GAROWE ONLINE