US praises Hassan Sheikh' strategy in Al-Shabaab war

MOGADISHU, Somalia - The United States has praised the commitment of new Somalia President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud in the fight against Al-Shabaab, a terror group that controls huge swathes of rural central and southern Somalia, and has been operating in the country for over a decade.

Ever since he took over in June, Hassan Sheikh has activated operations against the militants through the Somali National Army, a move which has yielded fruits despite a few setbacks. The militants have been targeting innocent civilians and members of the security sector in their cowardly attacks.

Austin Lloyd, the US Defense Secretary, acknowledged the country's milestone in the fight against Al-Shabaab, noting that Washington will closely collaborate to help the country weed out the militants who have been terrorizing innocent civilians.

The Defense Secretary noted that the Somali National Army has been actively working with members of a peacekeeping mission to tame the militants, a strategy that has helped Somalia yo recapture dozens of strategic towns across the Horn of Africa nation.

“The two exchanged views on the security outlook for the Horn of Africa in light of climate shocks, humanitarian issues, conflict, and the threat of violent extremism," Pentagon noted in reference to the meeting between Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Llyod Austin.

Secretary Austin reaffirmed the Department’s commitment to countering violent extremism and expressed appreciation for President Hassan Sheikh’s administration’s willingness to host U.S. forces. The US has close to 500 special forces in the country.

Hassan Sheikh, who made his second comeback to elective politics, condemned the militants who he accused of going again Islamic teachings. He specifically pointed an accusing finger at Al-Shabaab leader Abu Ubaidah for misleading Somalis.

“Somalia belongs to the Muslim, but it belongs to the Somali Muslims, not every Muslim. We need to tell our people that Abu Salah, Abu Ubaidah, and Abu Qahtan have nothing to do with Somalia. This is a land for Jama, Alasow, and Qawdhan, " he noted.

GAROWE ONLINE