The newly appointed governor of Lower Shabelle region, Mohamed Ibrahim Barre has vowed to step up operations against Al-Shabab fighters in the region.
Al-Shabab controls several towns and villages in Lower Shabelle region.
Speaking to the media, Barre said his administration will lead offensives against Al-Shabab fighters.
“We will increase the operations to flush out Al-Shabab from this region with AMISOM and Somali forces. Soon we will recapture the remaining towns and villages in the region,” said Barre.
He pointed out that they will secure and reopen roads blocked by Al-Shabab in the forthcoming days.
The governor noted that the operations will also remove the illegal roads blocks mounted by armed men.
“We also want to reopen roads blocked by Al-Shabab and other gangs. These groups extort money from the public vehicles and passenger plying across the region,” he pledged.
Barre who was appointed late last Week has assumed the office two days ago.
Al-Shabab has several stronghold towns and villages in Lower Shabelle region.
The sentiments of the government comes hours after Al-shabab VBIED targeted forces in Afgoye town.
The group has training bases in the region despite the regular U.S led air bombardments against their training bases.
Somali forces backed by AMISOMl troops have recaptured towns and villages from Al-Shabab since February when Somali President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo declared new offensives against the Al-Shabab.
The forces also destroyed Al-shabab owned Radio Station in Lower Shabelle region.
Discussion about this post