Joint SNA, AMISOM operations against Al-Shabaab to continue

Joint SNA, AMISOM operations against Al-Shabaabto continue

“Today, partners are helping Somalia generate trained and equipped forces. It is these forces that, with our support, are now holding liberated towns,”

Mogadishu - On 11 August, the Head of AMISOM, Ambassador Francisco Madeira said AMISaOM and the Federal Government of Somalia would continue to conduct joint operations to restore peace and security in areas still the control of extremists. This was during a dinner hosted to celebrate the Muslim festival of Eid alAdha at the AMISOM Force Headquarters in Mogadishu.

“As we celebrate Eid al-Adha, let me congratulate the Force Commander and the Sector One Commander for the important achievements they have made, the recent one being the liberation of Awdheegle,” Ambassador Madeira stated, adding that the strong working relations between AMISOM and the Somali security forces had made the liberation of bridge towns possible. Awdheegle became the fourth bridge town to be liberated in the Lower Shabelle region, this year by Somali security forces supported by AMISOM troops. Other towns earlier liberated include Sabiid, Bariire and Eel-Saliini. Ambassador Madeira stressed the importance of having sufficient numbers of well-trained national forces to secure Somalia and hold ground in the liberated areas. He praised the Federal Government of Somalia for prioritising recruitment and added that AMISOM would continue to push for the strengthening of Somali security forces following the recent successes in the joint military operations. “Today, partners are helping Somalia generate trained and equipped forces. It is these forces that, with our support, are now holding liberated towns,” he observed.

AMISOM senior leadership attend a dinner hosted for its Muslim personnel to mark Eid ul Adha in Mogadishu, Somalia. Eidul Adha is an important religious holiday celebrated by Muslims all around the world.

Awdheegle became the fourth bridge town to be liberated in the Lower Shabelle region, this year by Somali security forces supported by AMISOM troops.

Conducting joint military operations, protecting population centres and clearing main supply routes are key activities that AMISOM is undertaking as part of the implementation of the Somali Transition Plan, which has the main objective of transferring security responsibility to the Somali security forces.