We shall defeat Al-Shabab by 2025, new Somalia minister says

MOGADISHU, Somalia - Somalia has a huge chance of defeating the Al-Shabaab military, a newly appointed minister in the country has said while acknowledging huge milestones made by his predecessors in tracking and eliminating the militants, who control large swathes of rural central and southern regions.

Abdullahi Sheikh Ismail Fartag, the new minister for Interior Security, said the government can eliminate the militants by 2025 when the mission troops are expected to leave the Horn of Africa nation in compliance with the Somali Transition Plan (STP).

Currently, the country is implementing the second phase of operations against the militants and has managed to get hold of several strategic regions. The Al-Shabab militants lost huge chunks during the first phase of operations against the group.

In his address, Abdullahi Sheikh Ismail Fartag said by April 2025, the country will be free from Al-Shabaab who control large swathes of rural central and southern Somalia. The first phase of operations against the group managed to secure many towns in Hirshabelle and Galmudug.

"It has been confirmed that the group lacks strength and power, and their actions constitute terrorism, involving hiding among civilians and intimidation," said the minister, who will be essential in the operationalization of the second phase.

"I anticipate that by this time next year, Somalia will be rid of the Khawarij, as the Galmudug government's operation is nearing completion, with Hirshabelle to follow," he added, while acknowledge support from members of the international community.

In the coming weeks, he added, the Somali National Army will invade Jubaland and Southwest states where the militants' presence is still huge. The operations were slowed down due to the Holy Month of Ramadan, he further said.

GAROWE ONLINE