A file photo taken on February 13, 2012 shows Somali Al-Shabaab fighters in Elasha Biyaha
Thursday, January 15, 2015
Mr Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur Sidee, the Governor of Lower Shabelle region in Southern Somalia, stated that the second phase of the Indian Ocean military operation against Al-Shabaab may start soon.
Talking to the local media on Tuesday, Mr Sidee said that the time set by Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamoud for Al-Shabaab militants to surrender to the government forces was over.
“Al-Shabaab fighters were given amble time to abandon the indoctrination by terrorists,” said Sidee.
Over three months ago, President Mohamoud announced extension of pardon for the militants who surrender from October 1 to December 31.
“The time for pardoning those who give up violence is now over and the Indian Ocean Operation is going to restart soon,” he said.
In first phase of the military move dubbed Indian Ocean Operation against Al-Shabaab, the Somali National Army and the troops serving with Amisom captured several districts from Al-Shabaab.