Somalia: SNA shift tactics in Al-Shabaab war, gives locals roles

MOGADISHU, Somalia - The Somali National Army [SNA] has shifted tactics in the fight against Al-Shabaab, VOA has established, giving locals many advanced roles on the battlefield, in the latest revival of operations against the militants, who control large swathes of rural central and southern Somalia.

In the strategy, officials say, locals will play a significant role in coordination and execution, while the military will take auxiliary roles. Already, there have been notable withdrawals of the Somali National Army from various frontlines, which could compromise the fight against the militants.

Local fighters, officials say, will be registered for monthly stipends which will act as incentives for their participation. In the long run, authorities said, the local fighters will be integrated into the national army, as a reward for their efforts to eliminate the militants in the country.

The national intelligence agency is tasked with leading the registration and vetting of fighters to prevent infiltration of militants, officials said. A few months ago, the government used local fighters in Galmadug and HirShabelle states, during the first phase of operations against the Al-Qaeda-linked group.

Brigadier General Abdirahman Turyare, the former national intelligence chief, who is now helping mobilize the local fighters, confirmed the tactical changes to VOA Somali in an interview.

“The current mobilization is different from the mobilization that was taking place in the past few months, which only focused on the national armed forces,” Turyare said.

“The plan is to remobilize the armed forces, rest some of those soldiers who have been in the front line for a year and a half, replace them with the newly trained forces, and remobilize the Ma’awisley [local militias] and to let the local community lead the fight,” he said.

The change came after a federal army-led military operation suffered a setback following a deadly al-Shabab attack on two military brigades. They had been sent deep into al-Shabab territory in the Cowsweyne village last month with the goal of capturing it, VOA reports.

According to insiders, the second phase of operations against Al-Shabaab will commence in due course, with the army set to target Jubaland and Southwest states. Also expected to participate in the operation are the US Africa Command and the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia [ATMIS] troops.

GAROWE ONLINE