Al-Shabaab Fighters
The al-Shabaab insurgent group in Gedo region, a strategic area in southern Somalia between Ethiopia and Kenya, vowed to launch a new offensive against Somalia’s Transitional Federal Government (TFG) troops and the pro-government Ahlu Sunna Wal Jamaa (ASWJ) militia, which controls most of the districts in the region.
Al-Shabaab chairman in Gedo, Sheikh Abas Abdulahi Abdurahman, spoke to a large crowd of people who came out to see vehicles and weapons which the insurgents said they seized from TFG forces.
In his message, the chairman said that they are preparing thousands of fighters to retake Garbaharrey, Luq, Beledhawa and Elwak districts, which the TFG and ASWJ seized in May.
“We have defeated them in the latest fighting in Busar and Garsaale. The vehicles and weapons that you see are the ones we seized from them. Now they are very disappointed and our heroes are ready to attack the districts controlled by the infidels. We told you before that we vacated the districts because of military tactics after they met huge blows from us that seriously wounded their capability. This time we are going to recapture the rest of the region. After few days you will hear good news and the mujahedin seized Luq, Garbaharrey, Belehawa and Elwak. This is a warning that this is the last chance for the pro-Kenya and Ethiopia militias to surrender themselves to us.”
Speaking to Somalia Report, the TFG chairman of Gedo region, Mohamed Abdi Kalil, denied that al-Shabaab seized some of their weapons and vowed that they will immediately eliminate the militia from the region.
“They stole the vehicles from the civilians in Burdube and Busar, but the insurgents claimed they captured the vehicles from us,” he said. “Our troops are very prepared and well-trained. Their troops are young men who are forced to fight so you can’t compare our forces and theirs.”
The TFG chairman added, “We are waiting for the order from the TFG’s top leaders and the defense ministry then we are going to liberate Bardere and Burdube from the terrorists. The residents of those communities are calling us every day and requesting that we come to their aid.”
Dr. Omar Ahmed, a Somali academic and political analyst based in Mogadishu, believes that the insurgent can retake the districts of Gedo region from TFG due a conflict among the government troops in the region.
“Al-Shabaab re-deployed most of their troops from Mogadishu to Gedo region. In addition there is a huge clan rift between TFG troops in the region which will give the insurgents an opportunity to defeat the TFG,” he told Somalia Report.
“Remember if there is a conflict between the troops, they will never be successful. It’s the character of the military. Troops need unity. Marehan and Garre clans both want to control Elwak. There is an historic rift between them and both claim ownership of the district. If there is no trust, they can’t defeat the insurgents,” explained Dr. Ahmed.
Local sources told Somalia Report that more than 25 vehicles carrying al-Shabaab fighters reached Gedo region over the last two weeks, and the militia ordered the community to take part the fighting against TFG and ASWJ forces.
