The President of Jubbaland regional State, Ahmed Madobe, said that his region had mobilized forces to participate in the federal government’s “total war” against Al Shabaab.
President Madobe made the announcement at a military parade in Kismayo while flanked by the Commander of Somalia’s Armed Forces, General Odawa Yusuf Rage and the federal Minister of Defence Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur.
The Jubbaland leader commended the anti-Al Shabaab militia in the Hiiraan region, who have fought alongside government troops to push Al Shabaab out of their territories.
“Our region is the backbone of Al-Shabaab. This is their administration and financial capital. I hope to relieve some pressure from our brothers fighting in Hiiraan. We will come together, and here is where we will finally end Al Shabaab.”
“Among those recruited and trained to fight are young men whose families are virtual hostages of Al Shabaab. Their families are constantly pressured by them (Al Shabaab) to return to Al Shabaab territory, but they’ve refused to live alongside Al Shabaab.”
The announcement comes as government forces in Mogadishu ended a hotel siege in which eight civilians were killed. The Villa Rose hotel is close to Somalia’s Presidential Palace and is frequented by senior government officials.
In late summer, Somalia’s government launched an offensive against Al Shabaab militants, liberating dozens of small towns and villages in recent months.
Abdirahman Yusuf Omar Adala, Somalia’s deputy information minister, claimed this weekend that more than 100 militants, including 10 “ringleaders,” were killed during the latest Lower and Middle Shabelle region operation.
