Somali military to prepare ‘war’ on Al-Shabaab

[Deeq A.]

KISMAYO (Caasimada Online)—Somalia’s army chief says its military will be preparing war on Al Qaeda linked Al Shabaab, amid rising deadly attacks in the capital of Mogadishu.

The country’s army chief, Gen. Dahir Aden Elmi, said Somali military personnel will work to push Al-Shabaab fighters out of strongholds in south regions.

Gen. Elmi said the military forces would launch a major operation to open the main roads linking to the capital Mogadishu and south regions in Somalia.

“We will launch major joint military offensive against Al Shabaab. We’ll return the all rebel-held towns to the hands of government next year”, he said.

“The army forces are now preparing to launch on war on the Al Qaeda linked group in the country”, he added.

The army chief has been in Kismaayo for the last couple days.

Al-Shabab has been driven out of many urban areas since 2011; however it still controls territory in rural areas and carries out gun attacks and bombings on military and civilian targets.

Somalia has been mired in violence and lawlessness since early 1990s when dictator Mohamed Siad Barre was toppled.

Caasimada Online

Kismayo News Desk

Caasimada@live.com