By Younis Ahmed, staff writer
NAIROBI — Somalia’s government has announced that it is preparing for a second phase of its anti-al-Shabab offensive, aimed at dismantling the terrorist group’s remaining strongholds in the country. The first phase of the operation, which began in 2022, focused on driving al-Shabab out of major cities and population centers.
According to government officials, the second phase of the operation will target al-Shabab’s rural bases and hideouts, where the group has been able to regroup and launch attacks on civilians and security forces.
The operation will involve a combination of military force and community outreach programs designed to win over local populations and undermine support for the extremist group. The second phase of the operation is also expected to be even more intense, with a focus on targeting al-Shabab’s last remaining territories, its leadership and disrupting its operations.
Al-Shabab still controls large parts of rural Somalia and continues to launch attacks on civilians and security forces.
The Somali military, along with troops from the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), will be supported by intelligence and logistical support from the United States and other Western nations, according to sources.
While the offensive is seen as a necessary step in the fight against al-Shabab, there are concerns about the potential for civilian casualties and the impact on the country’s already fragile political situation.
However, the Somali government has promised to take all necessary measures to protect civilians and minimize harm, but human rights groups have called for greater transparency and accountability in the operation.
Al-Shabab has been responsible for numerous deadly attacks in Somalia and neighboring countries, including a 2019 attack on a hotel in Nairobi, Kenya, that killed 21 people. The group has also been linked to the Islamic State and has been designated a terrorist organization by several countries, including the United States and the United Kingdom.
The government’s decision to launch a second phase of the anti-al-Shabab offensive comes amid growing concern about the group’s activities in Somalia and the wider region.
Analysts warn that al-Shabab remains a potent threat and that it could use Somalia as a base to launch attacks on other countries in East Africa.
The success of the second phase of the operation will depend on a number of factors, including the support of local communities and the effectiveness of the military’s operations against al-Shabab, experts say, noting that the government will also need to address the underlying grievances that have fueled support for the extremist group, such as poverty, unemployment, and corruption.
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