Somalia’s National Army Commander, Major General Ibrahim Sheikh Muhiyeddin Addow, expressed uncertainty regarding the participation of frontline countries in the planned second phase of military operations against al-Shabaab.
During an interview with VOA Somali on Tuesday, Major General Ibrahim Sheikh Muhiyeddin stated his uncertainty that troops from Ethiopia, Kenya and Djibouti will participate in “Operation Black Lion.” He said it does not appear that frontline countries will have immediate and direct participation due to the absence of visible preparations.
“The countries have not informed us whether they are still willing to participate. There is typically a preparation phase before an operation; I do not see that preparation. While waiting for their decision, I don’t see them being part of our current efforts,” he added.
Somali government forces, backed by local clan militia, participated in the first phase of military operations. During this joint effort, the army reclaimed chunks of territory from the militants and successfully neutralized hundreds.
Major General Ibrahim underscored the commitment of the Somali government to liberate the country from al-Shabaab militants, emphasizing that the anti-al-Shabaab operations will continue.
In February, Kenya’s President William Ruto, Djibouti’s President Ismail Omer Guelleh, and Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed met with Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud in Mogadishu. During the meeting, they agreed to jointly plan and organize a robust operational search and destroy campaign at the frontline states level on multiple frontlines aiming at key al Shabaab strongholds across south and central Somalia.
The three countries also contribute troops to the African Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), an African Union mandated peacekeeping force.
