MOGADISHU, Somalia – The commander of the Somali National Army, General Ibrahim Sheikh Muhuddin, broke the silence over the SNA’s recent unexpected retreat from newly captured areas in Galmudug state.
Muhuddin speaking along with Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre during a troop visit in Adan Yabaal said that the government forces withdrew from five key villages as a tactic of war.
“As you know, the army has come out of the areas to reorganize themselves and will strike back as soon as possible,” said the army commander, rejecting claims of ground defeats.
He praised the Gorgor and Danab troops who fought in Adan Yabal district to be the most effective men in the fight against Al-Shabaab, asking the PM to promote the gallant soldiers.
However, the SNA pull-out of the villages caused a lot of discussion among the Somali people and raised questions over the government’s commitment to fight Al-Shabaab.
The commander made the statement after the army On Monday, the army emptied the towns of Wabho, Osweyne, Budbud, Gal’ad, and Masagaway in Galmudug state of Somalia.
The sudden pull-out in the country’s central region of Galgadud after a deadly attack by the al Shabaab extremist group on army base in Cawsweyne [Osweine] killed many soldiers.
