MOGADISHU (Somaliguardian) – Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud said on Tuesday his government was determined to launch a full-scale offensive against Al-Qaeda-aligned militant group Al-Shabaab, days after deadly hotel attack rocked the capital Mogadishu.
In a pre-recorded video message after an emergency meeting with top security officials, the President stated that his government will prevail in the war against insurgents and appealed for public support in efforts to prevent attacks by militants.
The remarks came days after traditional leaders and MPs blamed the president’s declaration of anti-Al-Shabaab offensive for a deadly hotel attack in Mogadishu on Friday that continued for more than 30 hours. Al-Shabaab stressed that the siege was a response for the President’s announcement.
In comments on Mohamud’s remarks, the deputy governor of Banadir region Ali Yare said Somali president repeated declaration of an offensive for which the government is so far unprepared while he skipped attending Friday prayers at the presidential mosque in Mogadishu due to attack fears. He also accused Mohamud of failure to send condolences to those who had lost their loved ones in the recent attack.
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