Somalia to Lead AUSSOM as Local Forces Prepare to Assume Full Security Control

MOGADISHU, Somalia - A senior official confirmed that the government of Somalia will control the operations of the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) as the local troops prepare to take over security responsibilities. This was confirmed shortly after the African Union and Somalia settled on the number of soldiers to participate in the mission.

Hussein Moalim Mohamud, the National Security Advisor, said the AUSSOM operations should be led by Somalia, a significant drift from the past where the foreign troops were directly in control of the operations of the mission in the country.

Egypt, Kenya, Uganda, Djibouti, and Ethiopia shall contribute a total of 11,500 soldiers to the mission. However, Burundi is reluctant to continue staying in the Horn of Africa country after it failed to reach an agreement with Mogadishu over the total number of soldiers to serve in the new mission.

Moalim said significant progress has been made in securing key areas and eliminating terrorist threats. Furthermore, he stated that the Somali National Army is on track to receive complete military equipment, enabling it to take full control of the country’s security responsibilities shortly.

State media reports that the Federal Government of Somalia, in collaboration with AUSSOM troop-contributing countries and international partners continues its efforts to secure the nation and eliminate all threats to its sovereignty and stability.

On Tuesday, the Somali National Army worked closely with the US Africa Command to conduct a joint airstrike operation that significantly impacted Al Shabaab militants following their failed attack on the town of Alkowsar in the Middle Shabelle region of Hirshabelle State.

The airstrike, officials said, targeted Al-Shabaab militants and their leadership who had lost in various battlegrounds against the Somali National Army and local militias. The total number of casualties was not immediately revealed but an assessment is underway.

Somalia intends to defeat both Al-Shabaab and ISIS militants who are fighting to topple the fragile UN-backed federal government of Somalia. In northern parts, the Puntland Counter-Terrorism Forces are working with the US Africa Command and the United Arab Emirates in the fight against ISIS.

GAROWE ONLINE