Mogadishu SDU — Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on Thursday defended his administration’s ongoing offensive against Al-Shabaab, following the militant group’s surprise capture of Aadan Yabaal, a strategic town in central Somalia’s Middle Shabelle region.
Speaking on Thursday, a day after militants overran the town, President Mohamud described the war as a protracted battle with inevitable fluctuations, urging Somalis not to lose faith.
“What we’re witnessing is the nature of war—momentum shifts,” President Mohamud said in a televised address. “We’ve had two years of victories. If we face a few days of setbacks, we must endure them and continue the fight. This does not mean the war is lost.”
Al-Shabaab briefly seized Aadan Yabaal on Wednesday following a fierce assault. The town, which was liberated by Somali forces in late 2022, fell back into Al-Shabaab control on Wednesday after heavy fighting. The incident marks one of the most significant setbacks in the government’s two-year military campaign aimed at dismantling the group’s presence across central and southern Somalia.
The president praised the Somali National Army and allied community defence forces, known as Ma’awisleey, for their continued commitment to defending the country, despite mounting pressure in frontline areas.
“We are engaged in a national war,” Mohamud said. “Today’s setback doesn’t define the campaign. This war is ongoing, and we’re committed to its goal. Do not lose morale. We are still winning.”
Mohamud also cautioned that international support may wane if the nation does not show progress. “The international community has invested heavily in our institutions, security, and reconstruction,” he said. “But it’s beginning to look like we’re not moving forward ourselves.”
While the Somali government has not confirmed whether operations are underway to retake Aadan Yabaal, military officials say security forces remain active in the region.
Al-Shabaab, which has fought to overthrow Somalia’s government for more than 15 years, continues to carry out guerrilla-style attacks, even in areas deemed under government control. Despite significant gains since 2022, officials say the group’s resilience underscores the need for sustained military pressure and deeper community engagement. Security analysts warn that the group can launch surprise attacks, exploit security vacuums, and infiltrate towns not consistently defended by government forces.
Source: own correspondence
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