Somalia: US welcomes clan mobilization in Al-Shabaab war

MOGADISHU, Somalia - The US has welcomed the ongoing mobilization of clan militia in the war against Al-Shabaab, terming the latest strategy as "effective" and vows to assist the country and allies to wipe out the group, which has been causing havoc among innocent civilians in the country.

Ambassador Larry Andre insisted that clan mobilization has so far been effective, adding that more local communities should immediately join the war which has devasted the country for the last couple of years, causing massive loss of lives in the process.

For the country to succeed, he noted, the offensive should be encouraged, adding that clans should drop their differences for the sake of eliminating the militants who control large swathes of rural central and southern Somalia and who pose threats to stability.

"We haven't seen a Somali-led, Somali-initiated offensive against Al Shabab compared to this one. There was a 2019 offensive, but it was not primarily Somali initiated in our judgment," the envoy, who was dispatched to the country a few months ago, noted.

"You had the liberation of Mogadishu, which was AMISOM-led at the time. This is easily the greatest offensive and most successful offensive ever, and we say what makes a difference is a combination of the local communities, their uprising supported by Somali security forces."

The American ambassador, who has been hailing President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud for his determination, added that "the clans should put their rivalries aside for their common interest."

Somali National Army with assistance from the US Africa Command, the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia [ATMIS], and the local militia, have managed to liberate several villages across the country, particularly in dangerous Galgaduud, Hiiraan, and Bay regions.

Official government records show that over 500 militants have so far been killed, hundreds captured and sophisticated weapons nabbed. The Al-Shabaab militants have also been carrying retaliatory attacks, killing dozens of soldiers in the process.

The United States, which trains elite Danab Special forces, has been assisting through the activation of airstrikes in areas controlled by Al-Shabaab. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud over the weekend also acknowledged significant contributions from members of the public.

GAROWE ONLINE