Ahmed Murad (Mogadishu, Cairo)
The Political and Security Committee of the Council of the European Union agreed to allocate an amount of 70 million euros to the resources already mobilized to provide additional support to the Somali army and the military component of the African Union Transitional Mission in Somalia (ATMES).
The European Union Council said in a statement yesterday evening that both measures aim to contribute to the handover of security responsibilities from Atmis to the Somali army by allowing the former to fulfill its mandate while enhancing the latter’s capabilities.
The Somali army forces continue their painful military strikes against the strongholds and fighters of the terrorist Al-Shabaab movement, which suffered heavy losses during the first quarter of this year. During March, the army carried out several operations against members of the movement in several areas, including Dodomai, Bulo Judud, Madh Marudi, and Yaqberweni in Shabelle Governorate. The lower south of the country.
The Somali researcher and analyst, Sharhabeel Ahmed Ismail, explained that during the months of January, February and March 2024, the Somali army forces were able to direct several strong strikes against members of the Al-Shabaab group in various regions of Somalia, especially in the center and south, which caused the terrorist organization to suffer heavy losses. Among the ranks of its fighters and leaders.
Last February, a military operation carried out by the army in cooperation with international partners targeted a gathering of the terrorist movement in the Ail-Wadlan area of the city of Galad in the Galgadud Governorate in central Somalia. In another operation, bases were destroyed in several areas of the Lower Shabelle Governorate, and the militias suffered heavy casualties.
The Somali researcher and analyst stated in a statement to Al-Ittihad that the Somali army forces enjoy tangible popular support from the majority of society, which has contributed to achieving many military victories against the Al-Shabaab movement in recent times, pointing out that popular support for the army is expected to continue in The coming period is in order to eliminate the organization and restore security and stability throughout the country.
In turn, Munir Adeeb, a researcher specializing in extremist movements and international terrorism, stressed the importance of the military strikes directed by the Somali army against Al-Shabaab strongholds and fighters during the past three months, which enhances the chances of eliminating the organization, after some strategic and vital areas were cleared of Fist of terrorists.
In early January, Somali army forces and local forces were able to seize the city of Misgwai, in Galmudug state in the center of the country, from the grip of the Al-Shabaab movement. It is a very important city, located 270 kilometers northeast of the capital, Mogadishu, and has a military base. It remained there for four months. In the grip of the terrorist organization.
Adeeb explained in a statement to Al-Ittihad that the military operations carried out by the Somali army against terrorists will continue during the coming months in light of continued international support for the Somali government, which contributes to greatly weakening the movement.
#European #support #Somali #army #Atmis #mission