President Mohamud to launch ‘Operation Black Lion’ during Galmudug visit

GOOBJOOG NEWS|DHUSAMAREB: President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud is expected to launch the second phase of the military operation against Al-Shabaab during his visit to Galmudug state which commences today.

The President is expected in the capital Dhusamareb where an advance team of the presidential guard has arrived. Earlier in the week, National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) chief Mahad Salad held a strategy meeting with Galmudug President Ahmed Qoorqoor in preparations for the operation.

Dubbed Operation Black Lion, the offensive, according to sources privy to the development, will start in the eastern part of Galgadud region and the west of Hiiraan which includes the Shabelle River.

The operation will then head to the South West state and culminate in Jubaland. Kenya, Djibouti and Ethiopia are expected to send in about 20,000 soldiers following a deal reached in January under the auspices of the Somali Front-Line States Summit.

Sources say the President will visit Harardhere town which was recently recovered from Al-Shabaab.

The first phase of the operation covered Middle Shabelle and Hiiraan in HirShabelle state and Galgadud and Mudug in Galmudug state.