Somalia president in military fatigue as Al-Shabaab war gains momentum

MAHAS, Somalia - The war against Al-Shabaab is taking shape in Somalia, with President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud joining troops on various frontlines as a show of solidarity with the soldiers expected to comb the remaining parts of HirShabelle and Galmadug states.

The first phase of operations against Al-Shabaab focused on the two states, but the government activated a clean-up exercise after it emerged that some towns were still under the rule of the militants. The Al-Shabaab were initially in control of the Galmadug and HirShabelle states.

At Mahas in the Hiiraan region, President Hassan Sheikh showed up donned in military fatigue which symbolized his commitment to the fight against Al-Shabaab, in which he has immensely invested since taking over from Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed better known as Farmajo.

His visit to the region comes just months after regional President Ali Gudlawe Hussein sacked Hiiraan Governor Ali Jeyte Osman, who was known for mobilization of locals against Al-Shabaab militants. Jeyte made headlines when he was seen leading locals in the fight against Al-Shabaab.

Upon arrival in Mahas, it was notable that Hassan Sheikh did not come along with Defence Minister Abdikadir Mohamed Nur. A day before, former HirShabelle President Mohamed Abdi Ware had warned against Nur, terming him a saboteur of the war against Al-Shabaab.

The president has been commanding war in Mudug and Galgaduud regions where combing exercise left dozens of the militants dead. The government of Somalia is expected to initiate the second phase of operations against the militants in Jubaland and Southwest states.

Already, a number of soldiers have been deployed to the two states and will be joining the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia [ATMIS] from Kenya Defense Forces [KDF] and Ethiopian National Defense Forces [ENDF] who are responsible for security in Sector II and VI of ATMIS.

GAROWE ONLINE