PM Barre Calls for United Front against Extremism on Anniversary of 2017 Mogadishu Bombing

GOOBJOOG NEWS | MOGADISHU: Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre has called for a united national effort to defeat Al-Shabaab, warning that military operations alone cannot eliminate the threat without confronting the extremist ideology that fuels recruitment and violence.

Speaking at the National Conference on Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism in Mogadishu on Wednesday, Barre said the government was pursuing a strategy combining military action, religious engagement and public awareness to weaken extremist groups and their influence on Somali society.

His remarks coincided with the ninth anniversary of the October 14, 2017, truck bombing in Mogadishu, one of the deadliest attacks in Somalia’s history, which killed hundreds of people and left many others injured.

The prime minister, who narrowly survived the attack, recalled being close to the blast site when the explosion struck the capital.

“I was among those whom Allah saved. I had passed through that area and was heading to a house about 200 steps from the explosion site. When the blast occurred, I fell to the ground, and by Allah’s mercy, I escaped,” Barre said.

He added that the house he was heading to collapsed in the explosion, but he survived.

Barre said growing public awareness of extremist ideology had helped Somalis better understand the threat posed by militant groups to the country’s stability and national identity.

“The Somali people have increasingly come to understand that the ideology of this group threatens our very existence as a nation and as a state,” he said.

The prime minister also highlighted the role of religious scholars in challenging extremist narratives, saying the government had worked closely with clerics to counter interpretations of Islam used by militant groups to justify violence.

He pointed to religious rulings issued by Somali scholars condemning Al-Shabaab’s ideology and activities, describing their involvement as an important part of efforts to prevent radicalisation and recruitment.

Somalia has been battling Al-Shabaab for more than 15 years, with government forces and allied local fighters conducting military operations against the group in several regions of the country.

Despite losing control of major urban centres, the Al-Qaeda-linked group continues to carry out bombings and armed attacks targeting security forces, government institutions and civilians.

Barre urged Somalis to support ongoing security operations while strengthening community efforts to counter extremist influence.

“I call on the Somali people to unite and work together to eliminate these hostile groups and their misguided ideology from our country,” he said.

He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to pursuing both military and non-military measures to combat extremism and restore lasting peace and stability across Somalia.