Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud arrived in the frontline town of Mahaas in the central Hiran region on Sunday to remobilize government troops and local fighters. The visit comes after al-Shabaab carried out a deadly attack on the town of Cawsweyne last week, killing dozens of government soldiers.
The president is accompanied by several ministers and local parliamentarians. He is expected to meet with military commanders and local leaders to discuss ways to improve coordination and collaboration between the different forces. He is also expected to address the troops and boost their morale.
Abdirizak Omar Mohamed, MP and Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Sources, who formerly served as the Minister of Internal Security, told VOA that the president’s visit is a “show of support for the troops and the people of Hiran.” He said that the president will be briefed on the recent military operations and the challenges facing the security forces.
Somalia finds itself at a critical juncture, grappling with multifaceted security challenges that threaten the nation’s stability and prosperity. President Mohamud’s visit to Mahaas underscores his unwavering commitment to countering the extremist threat posed by al-Shabaab and to re-establishing peace and stability across the nation.
