Somalia: Jubbaland leader visits military base after attacks

KISMAYO, Somalia – Jubbaland state president Ahmed Madobe has paid a surprise visit to a military base in Bar-Sanguni, 45Km north of Kismayo after Al-Shabab deadly attacks, Garowe Online reports.

Sources tell GO that Madobe’s tour is aimed at assessing the security situation on the ground and boosting the morale of the allied troops attacked by the Al-Qaeda-linked Al-Shabab extremist twice since last Friday.

A fierce gun-battle between Somali forces backed by Kenyan and U.S. troops on one side and Al-Shabab militants has erupted Sunday morning in the remote village ahead of the arrival of Jubbaland president.

At least 7 Somali soldiers were reported to have been wounded on Saturday night after an explosive-laden vehicle driven by Al-Shabab bomber exploded outside their base in the area.

During his stay, president Madobe is expected to meet the commanders of the Jubbaland troops to discuss the latest attacks and on ways to prevent Al-Shabab from retaking the key town.

Modobe called on the coalition forces to take action against those behind Friday’s attack which left a U.S. soldier dead while four others including a Kenyan defence force member slightly wounded.

The U.S. military vowed to double the fight against al-Shabab following the death of the soldier which became the second American trooper to be killed in Somalia since 2017.

Since its inception in 2013, Jubbaland, a Federal Member State in southern Somalia has been unable to liberate Al-Shabab from areas on the outskirts of Kismayo, a port city, 500Km south of Mogadishu.

GAROWE ONLINE