Somalia arrests army officers for abandoning frontlines against Al-Shabaab

MAHAS, Somalia - A number of officers attached to the Somali National Army [SNA] have been arrested for allegedly abandoning frontlines against Al-Shabaab, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has revealed, days after reports that the military may have withdrawn from a number of towns across the country.

While visiting Mahas within the Hiiraan region, President Hassan Sheikh insisted that those arrested will be facing court-martial soon, but did not reveal the exact number. A number of soldiers have reportedly abandoned Forward Operating Bases [FOBs] contrary to military ethics in the country.

For the last 10 months, the Somali National Army with assistance from the US Africa Command and the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia [ATMIS] has been pursuing Al-Shabaab, killing thousands in the process. However, a number of them have opted out, making the military struggle.

"We are aware of those who have left without permission," Hassan Sheikh told SNA soldiers in Mahas. "They have been arrested and will be subjected to court martial for abandoning their patriotic duties which they took the oath to perform without being coerced by anyone."

Following attacks by the Al-Shabaab in Cawsweyne and Gal'ad, there are reports that some soldiers opted to withdraw making it difficult for the military to go on with the operations against the group across the country. Currently, most soldiers are combing Galmadug and HirShabelle states ahead of Operation Black Lion in Jubaland and Southwest.

The Operation Black Lion is geared towards eliminating Al-Shabaab in strategic areas at Jubaland and Southwest states according to President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. The president is passionate about the elimination of this group which has stagnated the state-building process in Somalia.

Meanwhile, Minister of Defense Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur, while reacting to allegations by former HirShabelle President Mohamed Abdi Ware that his "wrong orders" have led to deadly terror attacks on the Galcad and Cawsweyne bases, says that there are people who want to derail the SNA operation who are spreading propaganda to discourage the soldiers fighting against Al-Shabaab.

He called on the troops at the frontlines not to listen to the "misleading statements" aimed at lowering their morale that serve the interests of the "enemy". In a scathing attack, Ware accused Abdikadir Mohamed Nur of sabotaging the fight against Al-Shabaab, which could trigger divisions in the presidency given that Ware serves as a special presidential envoy for civilian protection and stabilization.

GAROWE ONLINE