Somali defense minister accuses foreign powers of backing al-Shabab militants to take over the country

BARIIRE, Somalia, Aug 9 – Somali Defence Minister Ahmed Moalim Fiqi on Friday accused unnamed foreign powers of directly supporting the Islamist militant group al Shabaab, alleging they aim to destabilise and ultimately seize control of Somalia.

Speaking at a press conference on Friday after government forces retook the strategic town of Bariire in the Lower Shabelle region, Fiqi said Somalia had successfully foiled what he described as a foreign-backed plan to empower extremist groups in the country.

“We know clearly that foreign states are supporting al-Shabaab in an attempt to take over Somalia,” Fiqi said. “Fortunately, our government has managed to counter those plans.”

Fiqi did not name the countries he alleges are behind the support, but his comments follow recent reports suggesting possible cooperation between al Shabaab and Yemen’s Houthi rebels, who are aligned with Iran.

The defence minister said the Somali government had invested significant effort in disrupting foreign interference and extremist financing, calling the military’s recent gains a “major success” in protecting national sovereignty.

He added that Somalia would continue its military operations against al-Shabaab and any external actors aiding the group, to ensure long-term security and stability.

Al Shabaab, an al Qaeda-linked group, has been waging an insurgency against Somalia’s federal government for over a decade, despite repeated offensives by Somali forces and African Union troops.

GAROWE ONLINE