Southwest state president, Abdiasis Hasan Mohamed alias Laftagaren on Sunday paid an inspection visit to Somali National Army (SNA) that is stationed in the outposts where they protect the security of the regional capital Baidao. He visited the defense positions of the Somali army in between Burjeed and Daynuunay settlements which lie in the East of Baidoa.
The Commander of the 60th Division of the Somali National Army (SNA), General Hassan Isak Omar alias Hassan Baidoa and other officers welcomed the president there. Laftagaren went there in order to boost the moral and to expedite the operations against the militant group of Al-shabab. He previously announced the start of the operations on the 17th of April to dislodge Al-shabab militants from areas in Southwest state.
He held a meeting with officers in charge of the security, and lauded the efforts in which they put their lives in line. He also commended the role that the Somali troops play in which they extend a helping hand to the defense of the country. While speaking to the troops, he informed that he wants to commence the new operations in which the troops will open the road connecting Baidoa and Buurhakaba.
The two towns are 65 km away from each other. Al-Shabab militants are present in areas between the two towns. Al-Shabab militants are believed to have the biggest base in Mooda-Moode settlement in contrast to other settlements between the two towns.
He said: “I want to open the road connecting Biadoa and Buurhakaba, and other roads to be opened. We want to defend the people, the country and the state. We want to live in freedom.
He said: “All of that can be brought about by officers and soldiers who sitting in idle. Your people will live in freedom and in peace.”
He said: “If you see a man who has a freedom and who lives in peace and in honor, someone is in the forest while rain is pouring on him. If you see a wife and the populace live in peace, men are in the bush to defend them.”
He urged to direct themselves to flush out Al-shabab militants from major road. Al-shabab commit horrific atrocities against the Somali populace for the past ten years while in control of the road. He pledged that the Somali National Army (SNA) will not be alone in the operations. He told that the administration and the public will support you.
He said: “We stand by you. We are with you. We will fight alongside with you. We will follow behind you. We will bring the support and the equipment, whatever you need. There is nothing else you need from the town. We will move forward until we open the road linking the towns.”
The Somali Federal Gov’t sent weapons and ammunitions to Biadoa, while intensifying the planned operations that the Somali troops will commence in Southwest state regions.
The Defense Minister, Ahmed Ma’alin Fiqi on Friday called on Somali troops and regional states to intensify the fight in which Al-Shabab will be flushed out of the country.
