Somali President Vows Commitment to Fight Al-Shabab Until Decisive Victory is Achieved
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has vowed to continue the military campaign against Al-Shabaab until the group is decisively defeated. He made this declaration on Tuesday during a national address following the withdrawal of government forces from the village of Owswayne.
Situated 60 kilometers northwest of El Dheere town in the central Galmudug state of Somalia, Owswayne had recently experienced a lethal attack by Al-Shabaab militants.
“Regardless of setbacks on any battlefield or the spread of misinformation, our fight will press on. We are unwavering in our commitment, and we will not retreat,” he affirmed. “Our focus remains fixed on attaining the ultimate victory we are determined to achieve. The realization of that victory is within sight.”
Mohamud praised the soldiers and local fighters who have actively participated in the operations that have successfully reclaimed significant territories since the commencement of the offensive last year.
“Al-Shabaab’s strength has diminished today, their numbers are fewer,” he stressed. “On our side, we are better trained, more numerous, better equipped, highly motivated, and most importantly, we possess a victory that the enemy lacks. Triumph is imminent,” he added.
Refuting Al-Shabaab’s claim of killing 178 soldiers in the Owsweyne incident, President Mohamud countered that the group had incurred substantial losses and had resorted to burying their fallen fighters in mass graves.
“The accurate assessment of the Owsweyne situation is this: the number of soldiers that Al-Shabaab alleges to have eliminated is false,” he clarified.
“They have eliminated their own wounded comrades, due to the absence of medical facilities or provisions,” he observed. “Our forces will reach those mass graves and launch an investigation.”
It’s worth noting that the reported casualty figures from both sides have yet to be confirmed by impartial sources.
In the meantime, Al-Shabaab proclaimed their attack on Owsweyne as a “historic triumph.” In response, government forces chose to withdraw from four towns that Al-Shabaab had previously asserted to have retaken on Tuesday.
President Mohamud underscored, “It’s time to honor the heroes among our soldiers and to hold accountable those who have abused their positions, committed acts of treason, or undermined the armed forces.” He assured the nation that any “errors” made by soldiers, officers, or others would be rectified.
Former Somali President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed also called for an investigation into the management of military operations on the Owsweyne front. He urged the parliamentary subcommittee for defense to conduct a thorough inquiry into the attack.
