Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud said that his government has requested military support from the governments of Djibouti, Ethiopia and Kenya, to take the next step against al-Shabaab.
President Hassan Sheikh said that three countries that themselves faced Al-Shabaab attacks, will receive more troops and capabilities compared to the previous phase of the Al-Shabaab operation.
However, the president’s statement came as government forces have been strengthening since August, after they began the most important Somali-led campaign against al-Shabaab.
The government forces, supported by the local tribes, managed to liberate Al-Shabaab from the areas they controlled after 15 years.
Analysts agree that operations against al-Shabaab have reversed some of al-Shabaab’s gains over the past few years, forcing them to lose more territory.
President Hassan Sheikh, who gave an interview to the Financial Times newspaper, said that he hopes that the attacks against al-Shabaab will force him to the discussion table.
