(02-07-24) MOGADISHU (Halqabsi News) – President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has arrived in the Middle Shabelle region to oversee the launch of the second phase of the government’s anti-Al-Shabaab offensive.
The president, who travelled on a recently acquired military helicopter, received briefings from senior military officers on the progress made against the militant group.
The officers also outlined their short-term plans to liberate the remaining Al-Shabaab strongholds in the Hirshabelle and Galmudug states. This second phase of the offensive had been delayed several times, allowing the group to regroup and launch counterattacks.
In a statement, the Ministry of Defence said: “President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, joined by Minister of Defense Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur and Somali National Army commanders, arrived in Waragadhi, Middle Shabelle. This visit reaffirms the government’s unwavering commitment to intensifying operations and liberating Somalia from the scourge of Al-Shabaab.”
The first phase of the offensive saw significant gains, with government forces and local militias liberating key areas and districts. The upcoming phase aims to clear the remaining Al-Shabaab presence in Hirshabelle and Galmudug before moving on to the group’s strongholds in the South West and Jubbaland regions.
Halqabsi News
