Mogadishu — The Somali National Army (SNA) forces and local fighters known as Ma’wisley have launched a military movement against Al-Shabaab in the Hiran region. Their commanders announced that the allied troops are fully prepared to begin the second phase of the operation, aimed at removing Al-Shabaab from the remaining areas of HirShabelle state.
The timing follows President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s recent visit to the front lines in the Middle Shabelle region, including the newly recaptured Aden Yabal district earlier this week. The president stated that the objective of the second phase is to take control of “every village and town” currently held by Al-Shabaab.
With the support of clan militias, the SNA has displaced Al-Shabaab from large swaths of central Somalia within eight months, marking a breakthrough in the fifteen‑year conflict. As the campaign progresses, the government says it is taking bold steps to strengthen its hold on liberated areas and prevent Al-Shabaab from regaining a foothold. Security experts warn that without such measures, the resilient insurgent group could rebound.
At the request of the Federal Government of Somalia, Kenya, Djibouti and Ethiopia are deploying non‑ATMIS forces to assist the SNA in concluding the long war against Al-Shabaab.
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