Africa

Somalia army, local tribal forces pursue Al-Shabaab militants

Members of the Somali National Army, paramilitary troops and local tribal forces conduct a cleanup operation against Al-Shabaab terrorists in the Lower Shabelle region on February 13, 2024. (Photo: SNTV)

By Hassan Mohamed | Wednesday, February 14, 2024

The Somali National Army, paramilitary troops and local tribal forces have joined forces in cleanup operations against Al-Shabaab terrorists, combing through key regions in search of the criminals and abandoned weapons.

The Haramacad Unit, a government paramilitary force, on Tuesday conducted cleanup operations in the Lower Shabelle region between Gandharshe and Arbacow villages, south of Mogadishu and along the Indian Ocean.

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The operation extended to the east of the Galgadud region and into Al-Shabaab's hideouts in Ali Andoole, Sheikh Abdullahi Baraag Haji Dhagah and other neighbouring villages.

Besides the hideouts, the forces targeted a kangaroo court the militants used to illegally extort money from the public. The criminals fled before the operation, leaving behind documents that the authorities seized.

"This is part of the ongoing operations to clear out Al-Shabaab from Somalia and such operations will continue until when the militants are defeated,” the government said in a statement.

On Wednesday, similar operations took place deeper in central Somalia, in the north of the Galgaduud region.

“The joint forces unearthed several landmines planted by the militants to target government forces and the public using the road. The joint forces also destroyed several makeshift houses and bases used by the militants,” a statement said.

A landmine unearthed by members of the Somali National Army, paramilitary troops and local tribal forces during a cleanup operation against Al-Shabaab terrorists in the Galgaduud region on February 14, 2024. (Photo: SNTV)

Major Mohamed Dhegaweyne, the commander of the 24th Battalion, said the team will not give up the pursuit of Al-Shabaab fighters remaining in the area.

Members of the public also pledged to continue supporting the authorities until the threat from the terror group is neutralised.

Abdi Mohamed, a resident of Dhusamareb town in central Somalia, said they are fighting back because the terrorists do not spare them.

“They have killed many civilians. I have lost family members to the Al-Shabaab. The public is tired of Al-Shabaab's brutality so they are taking up arms against them,” Mohamed told The Eastleigh Voice by phone.

Members of local tribal forces help Somalia authorities with a cleanup operation against Al-Shabaab terrorists in the Galgaduud region on February 14, 2024. (Photo: SNTV)

Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Bare say the warn on Al-Shabaab remains a top priority.

Since his re-election in May 2022, Hassan has spent months in the frontlines, particularly in central Somalia. In all his public statements, the President urges the public to support the government in combating the militants whom he says are "public enemy number one".

Somalia has been battling the Al-Shabaab for the last 17 years, triggering retaliatory attacks that target government officials and installations as well as civiliants.

An African Union peacekeeping force of at least 14,000 soldiers from Burundi, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Uganda is helping the Somali government to fight the terrorists.

In September last year, PM Hamza appealed for more international help in the battle against the militants.