Monday August 28, 2023
Dhusamareb (HOL) - The President of Jubbaland regional administration, Ahmed Mohamed Islam Madobe, has criticized the sluggish pace of the ongoing operations against al-Shabab in Galmudug State.
Speaking at the conclusion event of the National Consultative Council in Dhusamareb on Sunday night, the regional leader stated a disparity between the discourse surrounding the operations and the actual progress on the ground. Ahmed Madobe expressed surprise at the prolonged duration of the al-Shabab war in Galmudug.
"The government's weaponry is registered. If the war does not become real, the weapons will disappear, providing a significant advantage to the al-Shabaab group," stated President Ahmed Madobe.
However, the Somali government troops have made substantial headway by gaining control over key territories within the Galgadud region.
Notably, they successfully captured the district of Elbur, about 400 kilometres (249 miles) north of the capital, Mogadishu, shortly after al-Shabab militants hastily fled the district.
Elbur, located in the central Somali region of Galgaduud, has been a stronghold for al-Shabab for nearly a decade, and its capture represents a significant blow to the group.
Jubaland is one of the regions where the Somali government and administration are poised to initiate the second phase of operations to liberate areas under al Shabab's control.