“We will eliminate them:” Jubaland state gears for offensive against Al-Shabaab

On March 1, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud was warmly received in Kismayo, the interim seat of Jubbaland state, by the regional state’s leader Ahmed Madobe and other regional officials.

His mission was one – to hold talks on the acceleration of the second phase of the offensive against Al-Shabaab after successful campaigns to eliminate the group from the states of Hirshabelle and Galmudug.

Since his election last May, his second stint as president, Mohamud embarked on fighting the group at the military, financial and ideological levels.

As of August, last year, the campaign was kickstarted in Hirshabelle state with the support of local armed fighters known as Macawiisley after the traditional lower garment worn by Somali men.

The success in Hirshabelle was replicated in Galmudug state with huge success in what the government describes as the first phase of the war against the extremist group.

The two other states, Jubaland and Southwest, are bracing for the second phase of the anti-terror operation.

Multi-front offensive

Officials in Jubbaland say they are determined to “eliminate” Al-Shabaab from the regional state.

Jubaland state’s minister of internal of security Yusuf Hussein Dhuumaal has recently announced the beginning of the “multi-front military offensive” against al-Shabaab in the regional state in the town of Afmadow.

Speaking to Somali Signal, Dhuumaal said the aim of the offensive is to defend the country, the religion (Islam), and the people.

Citing the liberation of Janay Cabdalle, a strategic village about 52km northwest of Kismayo town, in January, Dhuumaal said Al-Shabaab’s days in Jubaland are numbered.

“There is a wide offensive against Al-Shabaab across the country that is aimed at defending the country, the religion, and the people,” he said.

“This offensive has started (in Jubaland) and it will not stop until we chase them out of all the towns as we did in Janay Cabdalle.”

Non-stop offensive

For his part, the commander of US-trained Danab forces in Jubaland Arab Dheeg Ahmed said in remarks to Somali Signal that his troops are “determined to eliminate the terrorists (Al-Shabaab)”.

We are ready “to fight them (Al-Shabaab) non-stop and to die defending our country until the last Khawarij – meaning deviant and derogatively used to refer to Al-Shabaab – is killed by our soldiers.”

Ahmed also asked the public to cooperate with the army in the war who have sacrificed their lives for the safety of the citizens.

Last week, with the help of Danab forces, Jubbaland troops neutralized 23 Al-Shabaab operatives after raiding several of their hideouts.

New dawn

Abdifatah Mahmud Hassan, a political scientist who lives in Kismayo has welcomed the offensive saying it will pave way for Jubaland’s development.

“(The offensive) marks the beginning of a new dawn for the young people,” he told Somali Signal.

Across Kismayo, community leaders and civil society organisations have been convening frequently to express their support for the army as it braces for the liberation of the regional state.

Ahmed said he is optimistic of the positives that will come with the ousting of Al-Shabaab from the country.

“If the country is liberated, trade will boom, and the youth will get employed,” he noted.