Somalia: Land forces' commander visits troops on frontlines

MOGADISHU, Somalia - The newly appointed Commander of Somalia's Land Forces has visited troops in the frontline, just a few weeks after he was installed in office, amid an ongoing crackdown against the Al-Shabaab militants, who have been terrorizing the country for the last 16 years, killing thousands of people in the process.

General Ahmed Aden Ali, who replaced General Bihi, arrived in Galcad village within Galgaduud, where he praised troops for their efforts to eliminate Al-Shabaab militants. The troops played a major role during the first phase of operations against Al-Shabaab in central Somalia.

According to the Ministry of Defence, General Aden, expressed confidence that the Somali military will soon win the war against Al-Shabaab, noting that soldiers are ready for the second phase of operations which will mainly target Jubaland and Southwest states of Somalia.

"Commander of the Somali Land Forces, Gen. Ahmed Aden Ali, has arrived in Galcad, Galgaduud for an inspection tour with our troops," the ministry noted, while maintaining that the motivational trips shall see the commander visit several frontlines across the federal republic of Somalia.

"He praised their successful efforts in operations against al-Shabab and expressed confidence in their readiness for the second phase of our mission," added the statement, which comes at the time the country is preparing to confront Al-Shabaab for the second time in coordinated operations.

Last week, the Danab Special Forces held a successful operation in Budbud, Galgaduud with the ministry maintaining that "Our commitment to maintaining national security and sovereignty remains unwavering. Our forces continue to make us proud."

The first phase left over 3,000 Al-Shabaab militants dead according to official data from the government, but Al-Shabaab maintains that its fighters managed to contain the military. The second phase will see troops from Kenya, Djibouti, and Ethiopia who are not in African Union participating in the operations.

GAROWE ONLINE