AU forces announce a joint military operation against Al-Shabaab

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AU forces announce a joint military operation against Al-Shabaab

MOGADISHU (HORN OBSERVER) The African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) said they will kick off a new military offensive against the militant group al-Shabaab alongside the Somali forces, the mission's head said.

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Mohammed El-Amine Souef (left) The Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (SRCC) for Somalia and Head of the African Union Transition Mission speaks during a press conference in Mogadishu. | PHOTO/Courtesy.

MOGADISHU (HORN OBSERVER) The African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) said they will kick off a new military offensive against the militant group al-Shabaab alongside the Somali forces, the mission's head said.

The Head of ATMIS Ambassador Mohammed El-Amine Souef who is also the African Union (AU) special representative for Somalia stated the commitment of between the federal government of Somalia and ATMIS to pursuing joint military collaboration in the ongoing fight against Al-Shabaab in south and central Somalia.

Ambassador Souef reiterated ATMIS’ continued support to the Somali Security Forces in the ongoing military operations against Al-Shabaab.

"ATMIS is supporting the ongoing operations in terms of logistics. We are using our air assets, our enablers to provide air support and also provide medical evacuation at the frontline,” said the Head of ATMIS, Ambassador Souef.

He saluted the political will demonstrated by the national leaders led by the President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, who is directly involved in the ongoing Somali-led operations against Al-Shabaab and continues to visit the frontline.

The AU diplomat also welcomed the groundswell of opposition against Al-Shabaab, and the support the Somali National Army (SNA) is receiving from the local communities, which has made possible the liberation of territories under Al-Shabaab control.

"Somalis feel that their number one enemy is Al-Shabaab. and that is why the SNA is getting a lot of support from the people who are on the ground and the Federal Member States,” Ambassador Souef observed.

In the ongoing reconciliation efforts, ATMIS and the Federal Government of Somalia agreed to continue supporting the National Consultative Council, which brings together leaders of the Federal Government and the Federal Member States. The council is expected to hold its next meeting in February.

The Federal Government of Somalia and ATMIS also resolved to strengthen collaboration in the areas of military training and intelligence sharing to ensure the transition process is successful.