Somali President Highlights Multi-Pronged Approach to Combat Al-Shabab, ISIS

MOGADISHU, Somalia — President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud says Somalia is using a combination of military and diplomatic strategies to fight Al-Shabab and ISIS militants, both of which are destabilizing the country. The president stressed that defeating these groups remains his top priority.

In addition to military operations led by the Somali National Army (SNA), regional forces, local militias, and foreign troops, Somalia has invested in a diplomatic approach involving religious scholars in the anti-terrorism effort.

“We’ve engaged more than 300 leading scholars to challenge the ideology of these groups and demonstrate that Islam condemns their actions,” Mohamud said. "Through media campaigns and awareness programs, we’ve given the Somali people clarity and a renewed commitment to rejecting extremism in all forms."

Al-Shabab and ISIS have recruited fighters across Somalia, often through radicalization campaigns. The president also highlighted efforts to cut off the militants' financial sources, which sustain their operations, including paying fighters and buying weapons. According to Mohamud, several suspicious bank accounts and mobile money transfer services have been shut down in this crackdown.

“On the financial front, we’ve worked diligently to disrupt their funding, shutting down hundreds of suspicious accounts and dismantling extortion networks,” he said. “These efforts have allowed our armed forces to reclaim significant areas of the country, and our resolve remains strong despite the challenges.”

Mohamud also called for increased support from Arab League countries, particularly in improving surveillance along the Gulf of Aden to prevent militants from receiving weapons from the Houthis in Yemen, though he did not elaborate on this request.

“Our fight against terrorism is not just a national issue, but a regional one,” Mohamud said. "Terrorism doesn’t recognize borders. Defeating it in Somalia is crucial to preventing threats to our neighbors and the broader world."

While military campaigns continue in central and southern Somalia, Mohamud acknowledged recent gains against ISIS by Puntland. However, he noted that the federal government has not provided financial or military support to the Puntland forces, who have made progress against the group in recent months.

The Somali National Army (SNA) has suffered a significant setback after losing control of Adan Yabaal, a key town in central Somalia. The town fell to Al-Shabab militants in recent days, marking a blow to the government’s efforts to reclaim territory from the extremist group. Adan Yabaal, located in the Shabelle region, has been a strategic point for both the government forces and militants, making its loss a notable development in the ongoing conflict.

The loss of Adan Yabaal comes amid intensifying military operations against Al-Shabab, but the setback highlights the challenges the SNA faces in securing territory and maintaining control over areas previously liberated. Despite this, Somali officials have pledged to continue their fight against Al-Shabab, vowing to reclaim lost ground and strengthen security in the region.

GAROWE ONLINE