Guricel(Mogadishu24)- The Federal Government of Somalia is currently engaged in an intensified battle against the Al-Shabaab terrorist organization—a tot war initiated by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud following his re-election in May of last year (2022).

The President has been stationed in Dhusamareb, the administrative capital of Galmudug State, to scale up operations against the militants for the past two months.

In recent weeks, concerns have arisen about the outcome of this battle, as divisions have surfaced among the security forces involved in the fight.

Several clashes have been reported between government forces and local community forces in Galmudug State due to misunderstandings and a lack of coordination between the two groups.

Mr. Osman Isse Noor (Tardhuleed), the former security minister of Galmudug state, addressed issues related to the ongoing war led by the president in Galmudug State.

The former State’s Minister revealed that, after two months, no significant progress has been made in the fight against Al-Shabaab. 

“We can say that the president’s mission has not achieved the expected success for several reasons. We are assessing the outcomes of the war against Al-Shabaab, and where the president finds himself today is not where he aimed to be when he traveled to Dhusamareb,” said Taardhuleed.

“With the president’s presence in Dhusamareb today and security forces digging trenches in the city, it does not amount to a direct confrontation with Al-Shabaab,” he added.

He also highlighted that the lack of coordination between the armed forces involved in the war against Al-Shabaab has contributed to misunderstandings and the resurgence of Al-Shabaab attacks on military bases.

“There is a lack of coordination within the team engaged in the war effort, both in terms of the military and community forces (Macawisley), which has resulted in huge gaps and conflicts between them,” added the former security minister of Galmudug.

This statement comes amid ongoing operations in Galmudug and Hir Shabelle, with substantial areas being reclaimed, although the joint forces withdrew from some towns even after liberation.

Al-Shabaab has resorted to planned attacks on Somali National Army (SNA) bases and civilian targets, killing dozens of SNA soldiers and civilians.

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud declared a “total war” against Al-Shabaab last year. Since then, government forces, together with the local community and international partners, have liberated more than 80 locations from the Al-Shabaab terrorist group.