Somali president says country on road to end militants’ insurgency
MOGADISHUMonday August 10, 2015-Amid ongoing multi-pronged offensive against militants, Somalia’s president says the horn of Africa nation is close to ending the deadly insurgency by the Al-Qaeda linked Al-Shabab group which he says were being degraded to their capacity, raising hopes of ending the prolonged conflict.
The concerted offensive by African Union and Somali troops which aims to cripple Al-Shabab has already made progress as allied forces seized strategic towns and village from militants, leaving fighters on back foot in the face of the offensive.
Speaking to the reporters on Sunday, Somali president Hassan Sheikh Mohamud said the offensive had already moved into a phase that could bring militants’ insurgency to an end, a speech analysts say makes untimely optimism.
“The offensive is progressing in accordance with our military plan that could end Al-Shabab which now stares a military collapse.” Mr. Mohamud said in a speech that largely focused on honoring the fallen ‘heroes’ and emboldening soldiers on the frontline
He distinctly paid tribute to the Ethiopian forces that are parts of the African Union force in Somalia who made the biggest military advances and quickly overran strategic rebel strongholds.
“I am urging the troops to operate in line with the military law to avoid potential dangers arising from military operations.” He added, in an apparent call for troops to avoid collateral damage.
Nevertheless, Mr. Mohamed in conclusion said he sees a hope in which militants’ insurgency could be ended before long.
Even though Al-Shabab has lost most its strongholds, security experts say the group which would unlikely withstand the combined allied forces may draw out a military tactic that could extend its deadly guerilla war life.
“Even though they suffered irreversible huge losses, the group is militarily still intact which could rule out an early conjecture.” said Hashi Abdullahi, a former military general who served under Siad Barre’s regime.