The Somali Government announces the beginning of the second phase of the “total war” against Al Shabaab

8 Apr. (EUROPE PRESS) –

The Somali government has begun the second phase of the “total war” declared by the country’s president, Hasan Sheikh Mohamed, against the jihadist organization Al Shabaab and which will focus, at least for the first few weeks, in the central region of Hiran.

The first phase, which lasted eight months and ended approximately in mid-March, has resulted, according to government estimates, with at least 3,000 jihadists killed and more than 70 towns recovered.

Garowe On Line sources understand that the second phase will have the double objective of consolidating its control over the reconquered towns and starting a new offensive down the coast of the country until it reaches the terrorist strongholds in the south.

To do this, Somalia hopes to have additional help both from local clans and from new military deployments from Kenya, Djibouti, Ethiopia, as well as the usual collaboration of the US Army.

The operations of the second stage began early on Friday and, again according to the Government, they have resulted in the recovery of several towns in the region, as confirmed by the governor of Hiran, Ali Jeyte Osman.

“The liberated areas were militia hideouts but in no way were they bastions. The objective is to reach their fortifications in the west of the capital, Beledweyne,” he explained in statements collected by the United States international broadcaster, Voice of America.

Among the towns recovered in the last hours are those of Berhano, Tarejento, Burdaar and Nur Fana, south of Beledweyne, and which in turn is located about 300 kilometers north of the capital, Mogadishu.