President Mohamud arrives in Middle Shabelle ahead of second phase of military offensives

GOOBJOOG NEWS|MIDDLE SHABELLE: President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud arrived in Aden Yabal district, Middle Shabelle region this morning as part of preparations for the second phase of the military offensive against Al-Shabaab.

President Mohamud was received by Defence Minister Abdiqadir Mohamed Noor and the Commander of the Armed Forces General Odowaa Yusuf Rage among other military commanders. Sources say the president will be meeting a cross-section of leaders in the district where he will drum up more support for the war against terrorism.

The President is expected to soon launch the second phase of the war which now heads southwards to South West and Jubaland states. Regional countries such as Kenya, Ethiopia and Djibouti are expected to deploy thousands of additional troops to Somalia who will fight alongside the SNA and clan militia.

The forces from the three countries come on a bilateral arrangement and will therefore operate outside ATMIS. President Mohamud has in recent months visited military fronts in Middle Shabelle such as Nur Dugle, Masajid Ali Guduud and other areas in Galmudug.