By Mohamed Shiil

Mogadishu, Somalia

Somalia's top defense official on Monday requested African countries to send more troops as the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) continues its push to evict militant extremists.

"We request from the African countries additional troops to oust Islamist insurgent group of Al-Shabaab from the positions in the country they are still holding," said Hussein Arab Isse, deputy internal affairs and defense minister of the TFG

"The insurgents still pose trouble to the people, security and development of the country," he added.

Isse said the major objective of Al-Qaeda-linked Al-Shabaab is to create chaos and instability in the country.

The minister, speaking to reporters in the capital, said the government has plans to launch attacks against the Islamists, who quit their strongholds in Mogadishu early last month but are still operating in parts of southern Somalia and the outskirts of the capital.

"We will continue our offensives against the insurgents," said Isse.

More than 750 additional Somali security forces are being trained in Uganda and they will join government efforts to drive the rebels from the rest of the country, the minister assured in his speech.

Almost 9,000 troops of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) are so far stationed in Mogadishu, fighting along with government forces against Al-Shabaab militants.

Al-Shabaab has been hurt by internal rifts within its leadership and a lack of funds as well as declining popularity among Somalis because of the group's strict rules in areas they control.

 

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World - Somalia Seeks More Troops Against Al-Shabaab | Global Viewpoint