Somalia: Civilians asked to leave Al-Shabaab strongholds ahead of assault

MOGADISHU, Somalia - Civilians should start leaving Al-Shabaab strongholds to avoid possible deaths and injuries ahead of planned operations against the group, the Somali National Army [SNA] has stated, adding that the militants will be fought until they cede grounds across the country.

Defense Ministry Spokesman Brigadier General Abdullahi Ali Anod said air and ground operations are set to resume soon, adding that livestock and children should be kept away from battlefronts to avoid unnecessary deaths due to the nature of the attacks.

The Somali National Army has been training to face the militants in Black Lion Mission particularly in Jubaland and Southwest states. Already, the military is combing central regions after a successful first phase of operations which left close to 3000 militants dead.

According to President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, the second phase of operations will kick off in due course, adding that Kenya, Djibouti, and Ethiopia will give a backup. Also, the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia [ATMIS] and the US Africa Command will take part in the operations.

The Al-Shabaab militants have also been waging retaliatory attacks against security teams, but according to a report by the US, the group has lost significant territories in the last two years. President Hassan Sheikh maintains that the offensive will help Somalia to stabilize.

Besides military operations, the country has invested in blocking Al-Shabaab's sources of revenue. Last year, the government blocked several accounts linked to the group along with various mobile money transfer firms which the group has been using for a while.

For the last three decades, Somalia has been fighting instability occasioned by civil war and lately, the Al-Shabaab menace. The US Africa Command is mostly responsible for aerial surveillance and bombardments in aid of the Somali National Army and other forces who are fighting to stabilize the country.

GAROWE ONLINE