After defeats by Al-Shabaab, Somalia army remobilizes ahead of operations

MOGADISHU, Somalia - With a series of defeats inflicted on the Somali National Army [SNA], particularly in Oswein village and its environs, troops have started reorganizing themselves in several frontlines ahead of the second and perhaps the final phase of operations against the Al-Shabaab militants.

With President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud moving around the country to encourage the troops to soldier on, a number of them have been arraigned in military court for "abdicating duties". A number of soldiers had withdrawn from various frontlines after Al-Shabaab's victory in Casweyne/Oswein in central regions.

According to Investigative Dossier, government troops are moving to revive the military offensive against al-Shabaab. Within the last few days Govt forces moved into El Lahelay [Ceel Lahelay], and El Garas [Ceel Garas] in the Galgudud region, the VOA-run program notes.

At El-Garas town on Sunday, troops moved out following an IED explosion with al-Shabaab moved back in but officials insist the troops are still on the outskirts. These troops, the same unit that entered El Lahelay appear to be cautious and they are staying together, The Dossier reveals.

In the coming days, a second relaunch of the offensive is expected on Wabxo [Wabho] from Mahaas [Maxaas] direction where President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud spent days remobilising. The president had also visited Galgaduud and Mudug regions where he encouraged troops to keep fighting.

On the northern front, govt forces and local fighters entered Hinlabi [Xinlabi] on Tuesday after Al-Shabaab moved out. A parallel offensive is expected from the Wisil-Bacaadweyne front. The offensive is meant to clear central regions before the second phase of operations commences in Jubaland and Southwest states.

According to reports, no significant movement has been noted in the coastal area but an offensive to retake Masagaway and El Dheer [Ceel Dheer]. That offensive will also need troops going back to Gal’ad [Galcad] and Budbud, both key to holding El Dheer, where the troops had withdrawn from.

One of the major problems the offensive has been encountering is that the troops have failed to completely take over these towns, often leaving and allowing Al-Shabaab to move back. The European Union recently gave funds to help soldiers and other stakeholders establish civilian administration in captured towns.

There is no communication if Kenya, Djibouti, and Ethiopia will send non-ATMIS troops to help in the second phase of operations against the militants in southern areas following a request but the government of Somalia. The African Union Transition Mission in Somalia [ATMIS] troops have started a gradual withdrawal from Somalia.

Besides the military offensives, the government of Somalia is also tracking Al-Shabaab's sources of revenue and has since managed to close over 250 bank accounts and 70 mobile money transfer firms that are directly associated with the group. Al-Shabaab uses money from the extortion of businesses to run operations.

GAROWE ONLINE