As Somalia Gears Up For The Second Round Offensive Against Al-Shabab, A Global Coalition Must Join The Fight

[Deeq A.]

Security analysts in Somalia and beyond concur that the ongoing President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud (HSM) -led anti-terror offensive offers reasons for optimism because the current campaign is markedly different from previous ones. The US-based Combating Terrorism Center (CTC) notes that for the first time, a stronger Somali National Army (SNA) backed by local partners is taking the lead whereas in the past, military operations tended to be foreign-led . While US and Turkish drone strikes are curtailing al-Shabaab’s command and control and freedom of maneuver, it is primarily the Somali army on the ground that has inflicted the heaviest losses on Al-Shabab as the gallant forces have demonstrably shown the capability of killing and routing the insurgents in their hundreds and thousands in major counter-terrorism operations across the central regions.

Source: Hiiraan Online