Hassan Sheikh: I have full confidence in Somalia army

MOGADISHU, Somalia - President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud says he has full confidence in the Somali National Army (SNA), noting that the troops are capable of defeating Al-Shabaab militants who have been causing havoc in the Horn of Africa nation.

At Mogadishu in a town hall meeting, Hassan Sheikh said the government will support the national army in delivering the mandate, adding that with support from the people, SNA will liberate many parts of the country from the militants who control most parts of central and southern Somalia.

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud expressed "full confidence" in the Somali National Army for his security, calling himself "lucky" to be first protected solely by them after the country's "destruction."

The Somali National Army has been fighting to liberate several regions which have been for a long time under Al-Shabaab, and have been getting support from the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) and the US Africa Command.

Recently, the United Nations Security Council lifted the arms embargo imposed on Somalia, paving the way for proper restructuring and rebuilding of the national army. Somalia, experts say, will be able to purchase sophisticated weapons which would help SNA fight Al-Shabaab.

Somalia has been sending troops to Ethiopia, Eritrea and Uganda for advanced training and some are getting special training from the US Africa Command and Turkey. The elite troops are behind the successes of the national army.

The country projects that by 2024, most regions would have been liberated with ATMIS expected to completely withdraw from the country. Al-Shabaab has been losing strategic areas across the country for the last 12 months.

GAROWE ONLINE