Somali president, Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo vowed to intensify onslaught against Al-Shabab ahead of AU troop’s withdrawal.
In an interview with BBC Somali Service while commemorate his first anniversary in office, Farmaajo said US airstrikes against Al-shabab will be intensified to annihilate the group from Somalia.
” Al-shabaab was driven out from most of the territories, they rule few areas. We need to carry out air and ground offensives. The US airstrikes against the group, will be increased” president said.
The president pointed out that they had discussions with US government agreed to avoid civilian casualties during US air raid against Al-shabaab.
In 2017, the U.S. conducted at least 34 strike operations against Al-Shabab and a militant splinter group supporting the Islamic State, according to observers of U.S. military activities against Al-Shabab.
“Last year there were 34 strikes. Thirty-one of the strikes targeted Al-Shabab while the other three targeted pro-Islamic State militants in northeastern Puntland region” Statement by observers read.
US government said the strikes were conducted in coordination with Somali federal government.
Al-shabab which is Al-Qaeda affiliate group wants to topple Somali government and impose its own rule on the Horn of Africa country.
The group has lost the control of most of cities and towns since it was pushed out of Somali capital, Mogadishu.
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