Somali Army Chief Urges Al-Shabaab Focus Amid Troop Protests

MOGADISHU, Somalia - The Somali National Army (SNA) boss Gen. Yusuf Rage Odowaa says the military should put more focus on the elimination of the Al-Shabaab, a group that has organized mass killings of civilians and members of the security.

General Odowaa, who has been touring central Somalia, said the Somali National Army has an obligation to work closely with the clan militia, in a collective approach which would help liberate many areas that are still under the control of the group.

At El-Dheer in the Galgadud region, General Odowaa asked troops to return to their bases following the unfortunate killings of the Somali National Army officers who were targeted at El-Baraf while heading to their families from the frontlines. This led to massive protests by the soldiers.

The soldiers, mainly from the Hawadle clan, protested against the killing of their six colleagues believed to have been victims of a clan revenge mission. They lost their lives while on leave and traveling to the Hiiraan region to visit their families, military sources confirmed.

Locals stated that the attackers, believed to be clan militia fighters, shot the soldiers in the head. Gen. Odowaa had instructed soldiers to resume work by protecting the country from violent extremist groups.

Operations against Al-Shabaab have stalled in central and southern regions, with Somalia expected to take full charge of security responsibilities within the next 1 year, when most AU troops would have left.

The African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) handed over to the new mission dubbed African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) which is expected to eventually be handed over to the Somali National Army.

Al-Shabaab militants have lost significant territory in central and southern regions but internal political conflicts particularly in Jubaland and Southwest states have hindered much-needed progress in the war.

GAROWE ONLINE