Hiiraan Online
Wednesday, January 06, 2016
MOGADISHU (HOL) – Somalia’s chief of staff said his armed forces backed by African Union forces would oust the Al-Qaeda linked militants from the country in 2016, as the government pushes the
resumption of the multi-pronged offensive against militants which was stalled last year.
Despite losing key strongholds and the seaside capital to the allied forces, Al-Shabab still controls towns and villages across the country and continues to carry out deadly attacks against Somali government and African Union forces backing it.
“Our forces are ready to liberate the country fully – there will be no hideout for terrorist in our country this year.” He told the chief of staffs at the meeting that aimed to discuss about the way forward for
the allied forces.
The offensive dubbed ‘Indian Ocean’ was halted after Al-Shabab fighters launched multiple deadly attacks including two complex attacks on the African Union military bases that killed dozens of
soldiers few months ago. The attackers have also looted the bases.
Security officials warned that the disruption awarded Al-Shabab with a greater scope to group and repaired the group's ‘sapping’ morale after the loss of most of its major strongholds.
Troops halted the offensive despite the adoption of the United Nations Security Council 2014 resolution that provided logistical and fund for additional troops deployed in January this year to bolster AMISOM which would enable the joint forces to launch fresh operations.