HUDUR, Somalia – The President of Somalia, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, arrived in the Hudur district from Baidoa city on Thursday as part of his efforts to defeat Al-Shabaab.
The president and his entourage were warmly welcomed at the city’s airstrip by Southwest State leader Abdiaziz Lafta-Garen, House speaker Sheikh Aden Madobe, and other officials.
The visit, per the president’s office, is based on the acceleration of the plan for the second phase of operations against Al-Shabaab, which will soon begin in Southwest and Jubland states.
In Hudur, the President asked the local community to help the army win the war and contribute to the dislodging of the militants from the remaining areas in the Bakool region.
Hassan Sheikh listened to the community’s needs in terms of humanitarian assistance and their commitment to play a role in the second phase of the war against Al-Shabaab fighters.
In August 2022, the Somali government officially launched the long-awaited new phase of the campaign against al-Shabaab. Despite gains, the army faces setbacks after attacks.
As part of the operation, security forces have been targeting al-Shabaab’s main command centers in central Somalia after they failed to dislodge the militants from Hirshabelle and Galmudug states during the first phase of the counter-insurgency offensive and the expansion to Galmudug state.
