Deploy new tact to fight Al-Shabaab and secure upcoming polls-Deputy PM

Mapping out new strategies to fight Al-Shabaab will help secure the forthcoming elections and boost operations against Al-Shabaab, Somali deputy prime minister said on Saturday.

Mohamed Omar Arte, Somalia’s deputy premier who attended the conclusion of a five-day conference in Mogadishu has pointed out that the need to carry out new joint operations against Al-Shabaab fighters.

“Only a strong partnership and relationship between the SNA and AMISOM will enhance operational effectiveness of both forces,” said Arte.

He urged both AMISOM and SNA troops to ensure that this coordination and cooperation be replicated at all levels.

“What is required now is increased proactive and aggressive implementation of operational plans,” Arte noted.

Al-Shabaab group, which wants to topple Somalia’s Western-backed government has been ramping up attacks on both civilian and military targets in recent months.

The group has also launched attacks in Kenya and Uganda which have contributed troops to the 22 000-strong AMISOM force.

In the most recent attacks, Al-Shabaab late last month used vehicle-borne suicide bombers to launch assaults on an AMISOM base and the headquarters of Police’s Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) both in Mogadishu.

The attacks left at least 23 people dead.