Friday June 3, 2022
Dhusamareeb (HOL) - Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud announced that his government would start an offensive war against Al-Shabaab to liberate them from the country.
Speaking at an event in Dhusamareeb on Thursday night, the President outlined his priorities for security, decentralization, strengthening democracy, and reconciliation for the Somali people.
Mohamud said that the biggest obstacle to the lives of Somali people is the insecurity and atrocities perpetrated by Al-Shabaab, adding that his administration will work with Somali people to eradicate Al-Shabaab.
He urged the government security services and the people of Galmudug to be vigilant of conflicts, open their hearts, and work together to achieve full development in their region and a better future for their children. He also urged the Galmudug state and its people to lead the liberation effort against al Shabaab and said the other Federal Member States would follow.
"We want the Somali citizen to sleep soundly at home and not worry about landmines exploding when they travel and use the public roads," President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud said. "We want the children to be not concerned about their mother's return when she goes outdoors."
The last major offensive against al Shabaab was in 2019. Since then, the al Qaeda-linked armed group has intensified its attacks on towns and army bases. One of the group's recent deadly attacks killed 48 people, including Somali MP Amina Mohamed Abdi, in Beledweyne during the parliamentary election in March this year.
U.S. President Joe Biden last month authorized the redeployment of hundreds of U.S. soldiers who will help train, equip, and support the Somali military's elite Danab special forces unit fighting al Shabaab militants.
President Donald Trump withdrew US soldiers in December 2020. Since then, the US military has based its operations in neighbouring Kenya.
The new President has applauded the return of U.S. troops to help fight a deadly insurgency. Somali legislators elected Mohamud as President last month after defeating former president Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo.