Horn still within al-Shabaab range, Ethiopia warns region

[Deeq A.]

Ethiopian Foreign Minister Taye Atskeselassie has called for joint efforts among countries in the horn of Africa region to fight al-Shabaab, an Islamist insurgent group still active in Somalia.

Briefing journalists on Friday in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa Atskeselassie said that al-Shabaab is “well equipped” to carry out deadly attacks beyond Somalia and urged caution about writing them off.

The group has been waging a deadly insurgency against the Somalia government since 2006 and had targeted neighbouring countries like Kenya in the past for contributing troops to a hybrid African Union peacekeeping force in the war-torn country.

“al-Shabaab is one of the wealthiest terrorist groups in the world and is capable of carrying out massive attacks in Somalia and nearby countries,” Atskeselassie warned.

Noting that al-Shabaab is not an ordinary insurgent, Atske Selassie said the group is guided by the most extreme ideology, with a primary goal of shedding blood.

He said countries in the region must unite more than ever before to defend the terror activities of al- Shabaab and keep it at bay.

“There is a need for watching out every activity of the terrorist group which is creating alliance with those forces bent on exploiting every sense of opportunity to destabilise the region,” he said.

The foreign minister said Ethiopia is committed to jointly fighting the insurgent group by providing unreserved military and other support to Somalia until the Somali National Army is able to deal with security challenges in the country by itself.

According to the minister, Ethiopia is willing to resolve the underlying differences with the government of Somalia through peaceful and diplomatic means.

The foreign minister further said countries in the horn African region must redouble their efforts to stop those forces trying undo the hard-won gains against terrorism in the region.

He said Ethiopia will continue building, mending and enhancing relations with neighboring countries, noting that there are unbreakable bonds of fraternity among the peoples of the region.

MG/as/APA

Qaran News