Gains made against Al-Shabaab in Somalia and great sacrifice of AMISOM

MOGADISHU, Somalia - African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) has recognized tremendous cooperation by security forces in the process of liberating Somalia from the hands of Al-Shabaab militants.

For almost a decade, the Al-Qaida associates have terrorized innocent civilians besides waging deadly attacks across the Horn of Africa nation.

In the process, a number of soldiers both from the Somali National Army (SNA) and AMISOM have lost their lives. A recent report estimates the death toll at 2,000.

But despite suffering massive setbacks, AMISOM said in a tweet, security forces have managed to seize three important towns, crushing the militants in the process.

Sabiid town, which has been used as an access point by militants in Lower Shebelle and Juba, was liberated in April. A month later, AMISOM says, the troops seized Bariire town.

The significant gains, AMISOM says, has enabled security forces to thwart recruitment of youths by the militants besides blocking illegal taxation.

"Somali National Army troops together with AMISOM also captured the strategic town of Sabiid, previously used by the terrorists as a base for recruitment of youth and illegal tax collection," read the tweet.

Also captured in August was Awdheegle, a strategic town that Al-Shabaab has used for years to assemble, train and launch deadly attacks.

AMISOM said, 'The town previously served as a base where terrorists assembled, planned and launched attacks'.

Somali National Army (SNA) is being trained by AMISOM forces to take over internal and external security management roles when member contributing nations exit in 2021.

Uganda, Burundi, Rwanda, Ethiopia, and Kenya are some of the countries with soldiers in Somalia. Ethiopia has lately been accused of deploying Non-AMISOM troops in Jubaland, a move that has irked political temperatures.

During his submissions at UN Security Council, UN envoy to Somalia James Swan on Thursday hailed the SNA and AMISOM troops for neutralizing Al-Shabaab in Lower Shebelle.

Swan said, "After its last offensive in August, the Somali National Army has successfully held its ground despite repeated al Shabaab counter-attacks."

While hailing the significant gains by SNA and AMISOM, Swan added, "I underscore the centrality of respect for human rights in all of our collective efforts in Somalia."

Despite the Al-Shabaab persistent threats, Somalia is preparing for 2020/21 polls, which are closely being monitored by the international community.

The country is steadily progressing well in rolling out development plans across the nation, with Swan saying international partners 'donors have pledged to align their programs to this plan'.

A report by the UN Panel of Experts this month revealed that Al-Shabaab had abandoned illegal charcoal trade for 'mafia-style' taxation tactics which target certain organizations.

The group leader Ahmed Omar in October accused Americans and allied forces of 'destabilizing' Somalia, warning of 'dire consequences' in his first recorded address.

GAROWE ONLINE