Somali PM urges citizens to join the war against Al-Shabaab

Somalia’s Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre has directed government agencies and various sectors of society to participate actively in the fight against Al-Shabaab.

Barre issued the directive after a cabinet meeting he chaired on Thursday.

“I applaud the brave national forces who are waging Jihad against the Khawarij (Al-Shabaab) in our country; they are creating a new history of freedom from the terrorists who are oppressing our people,” Barre said. Khawarij refers to an early Islamic sect that deviated from mainstream Islam.

During the meeting, General Ibrahim Sheikh Muhyadin, Commander of the Somali National Army, provided an update on the ongoing operations against Al-Shabaab. The general emphasized the current efforts are focused on “cleansing the Khawarij” from the country’s central regions.

Commending President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s decision to lead the war from the front lines, the premier also stressed the collective responsibility of the nation in the fight against Al-Shabaab to end Al-Shabaab’s menace that has “paralyzed” the progress of the Somali people.

Barre’s remarks come amid new operations in Somalia’s central state of Galmudug state to free areas still under Al-Shabaab.

President has temporarily moved his office to Dhusamareeb earlier this month, the capital of Galmudug, to personally coordinate the operations.