Be ready to fight, SNA tells Galgadud residents, warns against Al-Shabaab deals
GOOBJOOG NEWS|GALGADUD: The Somali National Army has issued directives to residents in areas on the outskirts of Gla’ad town in Galgadud ahead of a planned offensive against Al-Shabaab which will officially mark the beginning of the second phase of the operations.
The commander of the 18th Batallion of Gorgor unit of the national army Bashir Omar Abdullahi directed residents not to deal or engage with Al-Shabaab before and during the offensive otherwise they will be targeted by the security forces.
Abdulllahi also urged residents to stay away from areas of operation and cooperate with the army in sharing information about Al-Shabaab activities. The army commander also called on the residents to be ready to take part in the offensive.
The meeting which was held on the outskirts of Gala’ad town was also attended by members of the Danad Special Forces. The meeting came ahead of the planned second phase of the offensive dubbed ‘Operation Black Lion.’
Meanwhile in Guriel located about 176 kilometres north of Gal’ad, militia from the moderate Islamist group Ahlu Sunna Wal Jamaa are gathering their fighters to join hands with the Somali National Army in the second phase of the operation.
The national army alongside Ahlu Sunna fighters will be working to recapture Elbur and Galhareeri both in the same region.
Sources have indicated that President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud will be traveling to the coastal town of Harardhere which was recently recovered from Al-Shabaab. The president is expected to arrive in Dhusamareb the capital of Galmudug state today.