By Abdi Hajji Hussein

Mogadishu, Somalia

Days after the announcement that al-Shabaab was withdrawing, transitional federal government forces allied with AMISOM peacekeepers have stared to gradually expand Mogadishu. Mogadishu, described as world's most dangerous city, is almost free from al-Shabaab after four years of battles, confirms Somali military official Abdullahi Ali Anod.

"Our soldiers with the help of African Union forces are now extending their presence throughout the capital. We are hunting down the remnants of al-Shabaab and we are committed purging them from Somalia entirely" Anod told AHN in Mogadishu.

Anod explained that the 14 districts of Mogadishu are now under the control of Somali government, but noted the remnants of the militant group are hiding in two districts (Huriwa and Daynile). The daunting challenges ahead are ensuring the internal security and hunting down the al-Shabaab suspects who intend to destabilize the capital, Anod added.

The government said it was deploying police to all districts in the capital to help ensure the security and prevent any vandalism attempt by al-Shabaab supporters. Nonetheless, sporadic gun battles could be heard on Thursday in parts of Daynile district north of the city.

AMISOM said al Qaeda-linked extremist insurgents still pose a threat to the Somali capital and to areas of the city where humanitarian efforts are underway to ease the famine-struck country, despite their declared withdrawal.

AMISOM Force Commander Maj. Gen. Fred Mugisha, said even though the retreat appeared to have been deliberate and coordinated, it was forced by the pressure created from recent gains made by the Somali National Army with the support of his troops.

"They did not abandon Mogadishu of their own free will," Mugisha reminded reporters.

"The extremists have however not withdrawn completely," he added, noting that pockets of insurgents remained in the city and in the outskirts, particularly near the pasta factory and north east of the stadium.

"90-95 percent of Mogadishu has been liberated, creating areas for starving people to access food aid, but the city is not as calm as we would like itto be," Mugisha explained.

For years the extremists have used guerrilla attacks, including the use of IEDs and suicide bombings, as well as more conventional military tactics. The concern is that insurgents will seek to focus their efforts on an asymmetric campaign, threatening the government, the security of the civilian populace and humanitarian relief efforts.

Mugisha said that majority of people in areas under government control are accessing much needed food aid but expects a surge of refugees to enter the newly liberated city.

"We need to move quickly if we are to help expand government administration and help Somalis. History will judge us for the lives we protect not those we destroy," he said, appealing to all those who are responsible for the future of Somalia that AMISOM urgently requires additional troops as well as a maritime and air capability if it was to secure the city and the rest of the country before millions perished from the famine.

"We are working around the clock to help Somalis to pick up the pieces of their lives and we certainly need more than 12,000 troops mandated by the UN Security Council to create an enabling environment for the provision of aid," he said.

Last year, the African Union appealed to the U.N. Security Council to raise the mandated strength of the AMISOM force to 20,000 troops, from the current deployed strength of 9,000, and provide it with an air and sea component.

Regarding security in Mogadishu, he said AMISOM was working with the Transitional Federal Government on a new security plan for the capital. Details of the plan are being worked up but he said that this would also require an immediate increase in the number of AMISOM troops.

 

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World - Somali Forces and African Union Peacekeepers Gradually Expand Control In Mogadishu | Global Viewpoint