Somalis urged to gang up against Al-Shabaab

MOGADISHU, Somalia - Somalis have been challenged to help the government effectively fight Al-Shabaab militants, who still pose a threat to innocent civilians and security officers not just in the capital Mogadishu but also across the country.

The Al-Shabaab militants have intensified attacks in the country lately, and on Friday, they managed to kill over 30 people at the popular Lido Beach in Mogadishu. This was the first lethal attack in the capital in as many months.

Yusuf Hussein Jimale, the Mayor of Mogadishu, said Friday's attack will not deter the people from helping the country effectively fight Al-Shabaab militants. He urged locals to remain united in the fight against Al-Shabaab.

A politician who is in charge of Banadir said there is a need for the citizens to collaborate with the government to avert similar attacks in the future.

“May God have mercy on the people who died in Lido Beach, most of them young people. I call upon the Somali people to work closely with security agencies and provide relevant information on time so that security agencies will be alert,” he said.

Two years ago, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud declared total war against al-Shabaab, who continue to ruin the peace and stability of Somalia. Already, the first phase of operations against Al-Shabaab left over 3,000 Alshabaab militants dead.

The second phase of operations against Al-Shabaab is targeting the militants in Jubaland and Southwest states. The African Union Transition Mission in Somalia is set to hand over security responsibilities to the Somali National Army by the end of this year.

GAROWE ONLINE