What is the lesson learned from historic victory in Al-Shabaab war?

The offensive was launched without relying on the African Union forces, who have been reluctant since 2007 to engage in a real war with Al-Shabaab. The AU mission failed to bring an end to the long and costly war.

News Keydmedia Online
7 December 2022

MOGADISHU, Somalia – The National Flag of Somalia flew above the headquarters of Al-Shabaab for the first time in over a decade after a historic victory recorded in an all-out war against the militant group.

The game-change came after a bold decision that President Hassan Sheikh took in August while he was in office for only 2 months, and his government was in the process to take over from Farmajo’s regime.

The government's territorial gains are attributed to the multi-faceted coalition led by the Somali army and local community fighters who dealt a major defeat to Al-Shabaab, the biggest since the group was driven out of Mogadishu in 2011.

In a televised speech on Tuesday, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud announced that his federal government will leave no stone unturned to liberate the entire country from the terrorists.

Mohamud made the remarks a day after the allied forces recaptured Aadan Yabaal, a small but strategic town in the Middle Shabelle region, which served as Al-Shabaab’s HQs since 2016.

The government's success came from self-reliance and the support of the people who are tired of living under harsh Al-Shabaab rule for 15 years. This is a millstone and a lesson learned from the Somali-led war.

The president has mobilized the local people in the Hiran region, central Somalia known as Macwisley who inspired the residents in other areas to take up arms and join the fight against Al-Shabaab.

The offensive was launched without relying on the African Union forces, who have been reluctant since 2007 to engage in a real war with Al-Shabaab. The AU mission failed to bring an end to the long and costly war.

There are 22,000 soldiers from Uganda, Burundi, Kenya, Ethiopia, and Djibouti in Somalia, who are paid by the EU and UN each soldier for $1,200 per month, 10 times more than the local soldier’s salary.

KEYDMEDIA English