Mogadishu (Somalistandard) – Amid the military offensive that has been squeezing their territory and increased pressure, leadersĀ of Al-Shabaab have started relocating their families overseas, the state media reported on Sunday.Ā
Hassan Afgoye, a senior leader and close confidant of the group’s leader Ahmed Diriye, hasĀ reportedly taken his sons out of the group’s ranks, fearing for their safety.Ā Ā
This comes after other Al-Shabaab leaders had already pulled their children from the group’sĀ military, prompting Afgoye to do the same.Ā Ā
The group has been losing swathes of territory since the anti-Al-Shabaab uprising began late lastĀ year.Ā Ā
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The military offensive, launched by the Somali government and its allied locam forces, has beenĀ making significant gains in recent months, pushing al-Shabaab fighters out of their strongholds in theĀ central and southern regions of the country.Ā
The offensive has disrupted the groupās operations and weakened its ability to carry out attacks onĀ civilian and military targets, which has led to increasing pressure on the groupās leadership.Ā
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The relocation of al-Shabaab leadersā families overseas is seen as a sign of the groupās weakeningĀ grip on the areas it once controlled.Ā Ā
The move is also seen as a way for the leaders to secure their familiesā safety and distance themĀ from the ongoing conflict.
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