This week the Somali Govt announced conclusion of the latest military operations against Al-Shabaab in Middle Shabelle. But was the operation planned properly? What was the strategy? Why did it end? @i_dossier talks to the commanders and critics.
voasomali.com/a/5955031.html
voasomali.com/a/5955031.html
The Somali Govt recently concluded a military operation in Middle Shabelle, claimed inflicting heavy loses on Al-Shabaab. The operation claimed the lives of soldiers including rising commander Mohamed Abdiwahab. But the operation ended, troops who were deployed pulled back.
There was displacement too. This drew criticism that the operation was not planned properly. Government troops who participated in the operation faced off in Mogadishu back in April when the army split over the term extension, sources say.
Security leaders reported lack of trust among the commanders of the different army units. One official blamed the Govt for engaging them in battle before fully integrating them, and creating harmonious atmosphere. Was this a reason for the pull back?
Meanwhile, AMISOM recently vacated the town of Marin-Gubay, hoping Govt forces will replace them. The Governor of Lower Shabelle says they were expecting government forces to take over Marin-Gubay, that didn’t happen. Instead Marin-Gubay was taken over by Al-Shabaab.
AU and Somali troops capturing areas only to pull back has been emblematic of the challenges on the ground. Some experts argued the approach discourages villagers and locals from collaborating with Govt and AU forces because of the uncertainty over the longevity of their presence
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