Somalia army Chief: We are ready for Al-Shabaab battle

MOGADISHU, Somalia - A military chief in the federal republic of Somalia has expressed satisfaction in preparations ahead of the battle against Al-Shabaab militants, noting the significant role the local army is playing in the process of fighting for liberation of the country which has struggled with instability for ages.

General Ibrahim Sheikh Muhiyadin maintained that the local army was adequately prepared to face the enemy, insisting that community collaboration will also be vital as the country strives to liberate areas that are still under the leadership of the militants in central and southern Somalia.

The army, he added, will complete the first phase in Galmadug and HirShabelle states before embarking on the second phase which will target Jubaland and Southwest states. Already, a number of soldiers have been dispatched to central areas to comb the region after a successful operation a few months ago.

"The Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Ibrahim Sheikh Muhiyadin has on Monday told units of the National Armed Forces at General Gordon base in Mogadishu to get ready for the completion of the first phase of operations against terrorists and the commencement of the 2nd phase," state media reported.

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud visited Galgaduud region within Galmadug over the weekend where he urged locals to collaborate with various security agents to push for stability. President Hassan Sheikh maintained that the major focus of his administration was to defeat the militants.

The African Union Transition Mission in Somalia [ATMIS] and the US Africa Command have reiterated their commitment to support the Somalia National Army [SNA] to accomplish the objectives. Already, the foreign troops have been waging airstrikes in central and southern regions of Somalia.

Al-Shabaab militants have been fighting to topple the fragile UN-backed federal government of Somalia, which has put resilient strategies to defeat the group. For almost 16 years, the US has also invested heavily in the fight against Al-Shabaab, forcing President Joe Biden to redeploy over 500 troops after premature exit in 2021.

GAROWE ONLINE