In a decisive move to counter the ongoing threat posed by terrorist organizations, the Somali National Army is preparing to launch a major offensive against the al-Shabaab terrorist group.
Ahead of the operation, the SNA has embarked on a crucial mine-clearing operation in the central state of Galmudug, according to a Wednesday statement by the Somali Defense Ministry.
"Our SNA (Somali National Army) teams have successfully cleared landmines along the Mudug and Galgudud corridor. Ensuring safe passage and security for our citizens remains our utmost priority. We thank everyone involved for their bravery and dedication," the ministry said.
Efforts to combat the terrorist threat were also witnessed in the town of Mahas district, located in the Hiiraan region. An army statement confirmed a "successful" operation targeting al-Shabaab's hideouts in the area.
Speaking to a renowned Turkish news agency, Ahmed Adan, a security officer in Mogadishu, disclosed that the army's recent operations nationwide had resulted in hundreds of terrorists being liquidated and numerous terror attack plots being foiled.
While unable to provide an exact figure, Adan stated that "the number exceeds hundreds," emphasizing the significant blow dealt to the al-Qaeda-affiliated* extremist group ahead of the impending military offensives.
A notable incident occurred on Wednesday when the army successfully neutralized a suicide bomber in the Galgadud region. The suicide attacker, driving a vehicle laden with explosives, was heading towards government forces stationed on the outskirts of the recently liberated town of Masagaway.
Total War Against Terror
Somalia has recently intensified its efforts to combat terrorist groups that have posed a significant threat to the nation's stability since the mid-2000s. In a resolute stand against terrorism, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud declared a "total war," encompassing ideological, financial, and military fronts.
To boost the morale of SNA personnel and local militias engaged in the fight against al-Shabaab, President Mohamud relocated from the capital, Mogadishu, to Dhusamareb, the administrative capital of Galmudug state and a key center in the battle against extremism.
This strategic shift is viewed as a cohesive move to unify efforts against the terrorist group. Thanks in part to the support of clan militias, the Somali army has successfully liberated vast territories previously under the control of al-Shabaab, including the strategically important coastal town of Haradhere, which had been under the terrorist network's boot for over a decade.
Somalia has long grappled with instability, primarily stemming from the activities of al-Shabaab and the presence of other terrorist groups affiliated with Daesh*.
Al-Shabaab, established in 2004 with the objective of overthrowing the Mogadishu government, has been engaged in a prolonged conflict with the Somali government and the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), authorized by the African Union and mandated by the United Nations Security Council.
* al-Shabaab, al-Qaeda and Daesh (ISIL/ ISIS/ IS) are terrorist groups banned in Russia and many other countries