Saturday July 22, 2023
Baidoa (HOL) - South West Regional State administration has announced a new anti-al Shabab operation in the coming days in response to al Shabab's imposition of a two-week blockade on the southwestern town of Baidoa.
According to Mohamed Sheikh Abdullahi Hayow, the media advisor to the South West regional President, the region has devised a plan to break the blockade imposed by al Shabab on the interim capital of the provincial state.
Al-Shabaab set up the blockade, cutting off transport to and from Baidoa.
"Strong preparations for the second phase of operations to fight al-Shabab are currently underway, and the forces of the South West region have been prepared to take part in these operations to eliminate Al-Shabaab in the coming days," said Presidential Adviser Mohamed Sheikh Abdullahi Hayow.
Hayow emphasized that success against al-Shabab can only be achieved through collective efforts, with the administration and the public actively combating the group.
Last week, Somalia President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud condemned the militant group al-Shabab for imposing the blockade, which comes ahead of a planned government military offensive in the region. It also affected businesses and resulted in price hikes as vehicles transporting goods from towns such as Mogadishu are stranded.