Somalia mobilizes locals in Al-Shabaab fight

GURI'EL, Somalia - Local leaders in Somalia have revised their strategy after weeks of stagnation, with residents now being mobilized to fight Al-Shabaab militants, ahead of the second phase of operations which will solely focus on combing the central regions following the successful first phase.

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud announced that the second phase of operations against the group will also focus on Jubaland and Southwest states, which have for a long time struggled to fight violent extremism across the country, with little or no success.

According to reports, inGuriceel District, over 3,000 locals have been mobilized to fight Al-Shabaab militants ahead of the second phase of operations. Al Shabaab remains in control of key areas like El Bur town, as conflicts in Middle Shabelle, Hiraan and Mudug regions persist, officials said.

The country is optimistic that by the end of December 2024, most areas across the country may have been liberated from the militants, with the Somali National Army taking over security responsibilities. Already, a section of African Union Transition Mission in Somalia [ATMIS] members have started to withdraw.

Somalia has increased surveillance and operations against Al-Shabaab on all fronts, with the government also devising ways of blocking their revenue collection channels on top of the military operations across the country. President Hassan Sheikh maintains that the group should be crippled financially.

On Saturday, President Hassan Mohamud led a National Anti-Money Laundering Committee [NAMLC] meeting, focusing on enhancing multi-institutional cooperation to counter terrorist financing and bolster prevention measures. This was termed a crucial step in the government's multi-fronted fight against terrorism.

A source told GO the meeting also focused on the recent terrorist attack on Jaalle Siad's military base, with a suspect detained for alleged assistance to the attackers. Already, several members of the Somali National Army have been arrested in connection with the incident which left 25 soldiers dead.

GAROWE ONLINE