Somalis protest against Al-Shabaab menace, support army offensive

MOGADISHU, Somalia - In a rare show of solidarity, hundreds of Somali citizens have thronged into streets of various towns across the country, protesting against Al-Shabaab's frequent attacks and taxation, usually targeting innocent civilians mostly women and children.

On Friday, residents of Adado demonstrated in support of the military offensive against Al-Shabaab, just hours after President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud announced that his administration is working around the clock to ensure the militants have been defeated within the next months.

The residents, state media reports, showed support to the military besides thanking them for a well-executed first phase of operations against the group, which targeted HirShabelle and Galmadug states. Currently, the military is combining the two states before embarking on the second and perhaps final assault against Al-Shabaab.

Friday's demonstrations were organized by the local community and attended by people from all walks of life. Demonstrators carried banners and chanted slogans in support of the Somali military and the government’s efforts to defeat Al-Shabaab, authorities confirmed.

On Thursday, similar protests were held in Bahdo in support of the military. The demonstration is a sign of growing public support for the military offensive against al-Shabaab and a reminder of the importance of public engagement in the fight against terrorism, state media clarified.

Al-Shabaab militants have been waging retaliatory sporadic attacks across Somalia, mainly targeting innocent civilians and security forces, leading to the deaths of thousands of people. The group mostly uses Improvised Explosive Devices [IEDs] in executing their tasks and sometimes, suicide bombers.

For the last 16 years, Al-Shabaab has also been collecting revenue from locals besides imposing ransom on kidnapped people. According to a report published by the United Nations, Al-Shabaab can collect up to $120 million annually, used for logistics and the purchase of weapons.

Besides military offensives, the government of Somalia has imposed tough restrictions on business people remitting taxes to Al-Shabaab. Also, the government has closed down bank accounts associated with Al-Shabaab militants and the mobile money transfer firms implicated in the same offense.

GAROWE ONLINE