Thursday March 28, 2019
MOGADISHU (Xinhua) -- The African Union Mission in Somalia
(AMISOM) has denied withdrawing its troops from bases in Somalia, saying
the strategic move of align forces is aimed at flushing out al-Shabab
militant group.
The AU mission instead expressed its commitment in supporting the
Somali government to defeat al-Shabab and free the Somali population
from the oppressive evils of the militant group's extortion and summary
killings.
"The AMISOM forces have not been withdrawn but the sectors are
strategically aligning their forces to protect the Somali population and
degrade al-Shabab and deny them freedom of movement," it said in a
statement on Wednesday.
The statement comes amid recent abandonment of military bases in the
country by Kenya Defense Forces (KDF) soldiers, stoking fears the move
will expose the country to al-Shabab threats.
The Kenyan troops started withdrawing from Somalia after moving out
of Busar, KDF's command centre in the northern sector of Jubaland, a
town that was liberated in the first 100 days of their entry into
Somalia.
The KDF operated bases in Bardera, Busar and El Adde and reports said
the troops have since abandoned the regions, including forward
operating bases in southern region. However, the AU mission termed the
move as tactical.
The AU mission said it is preparing for condition-based handover of
national security responsibility to Somalia Security Forces as
stipulated in UN Security Council resolution 2431 and in line with
Somalia transition plan.
The resolution calls for a reduction of uniformed personnel and
increased presence of the AU police in the country, to support the
expansion and maintenance of law and order as security responsibilities
transition to the Somali security forces.