http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/offensive-somalia-sees-militants-flee-towns-22858719
Offensive in Somalia sees militants flee 5 towns
Posted: Mar 11, 2014 9:32 AM EDTUpdated: Mar 11, 2014 6:01 PM EDT
By ABDI GULED
Associated Press
MOGADISHU, Somalia (AP) - Columns of African Union and Somali troops are
moving deeper into land controlled by al-Qaida-linked militants, forcing
fighters to flee from five towns in quick succession in a further squeezing
of al-Shabab's strongholds.
Al-Shabab has put up little resistance as the AU and Somali troops surged
toward their strongholds over the last several days. Towns in the interior
of Somalia with little relevance to the outside world - Rabdhure, Ted,
Hudur, Wajid and Buudhubow - are now in the nominal control of Somalia's
Mogadishu-based government, a further step of success following al-Shabab's
ouster from Mogadishu in 2011.
"This current operation is against extremists and will continue until we
recapture all territory," Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud said in a
statement Monday. "We want to give back to the long-suffering Somali people
an environment conducive to good governance and public services."
The U.S. State Department said it welcomes the joint efforts by the AU and
Somali soldiers to push al-Shabab from the towns.
Nicholas Kay, the U.N. envoy to Somalia, told the Security Council by
videoconference from Mogadishu that the military advance is "significant
and geographically extensive," and he praised its "notable successes."
"Somalia and Somalis desperately need improved security" which is "a vital
task for 2014," Kay said. "But the political dimension of state-building
and peace-building is equally vital this year" and "national reconciliation
must be fast-tracked."
In response to the military incursion, al-Shabab's reclusive leader, Ahmed
Abdi Godane, spoke on the militants' radio station and urged Somalis to
join their ranks and fight against the offensive. He made explicit
reference to Ethiopian troops taking part in the African Union military
campaign.
There are about 4,400 Ethiopian troops in the 17,000-strong AU force. Other
troops come from Uganda, Kenya, Burundi, Djibouti and Sierra Leone.
"This will make difficult for the group to organize attacks, train fighters
and recruit at will," said Mohamed Sheikh Abdi, a Somali political analyst
based in Mogadishu.
Al-Shabab controlled much of Mogadishu during the years 2007 to 2011, but
was pushed out of Somalia's capital city by African Union forces from
Uganda and Burundi. The militants then lost control of the port city of
Kismayo, crippling one of its major income generators.
Despite those setbacks, the group continues to carry out devastating
suicide and gunfire attacks in Mogadishu every several weeks or months.
The African Union's military spokesman in Somalia said the current
offensive, which began last week, would continue to bring to an end to
"abuses" by the militant group.
"The offensive won't end until we see Somalia liberated from the terrorist
group," said Col. Ali Aden Houmed.
Seeking to win support for the offensive, Mohamud, the president, told
Somali residents: "This is the time to decide your destiny." Mohamud said
his plan is to implement federalism and build a democracy that will allow
national elections in 2016.
___
Edith M. Lederer contributed to this report from the United Nations.
Received on Tue Mar 11 2014 - 22:24:03 EDT