The commander of Somali National Army’s land forces, General Mohamed Tahalil said that most of the troops trained in Eritrea have returned to the country and will take part operations to eradicate terrorists.
Speaking to soldiers in Run-Nurgod town of Middle Shabellle region, General Bihi said that most of the Eritrean troops are now in Somalia and are ready to fight Al-Shabaab.
“I am giving you good news, strong and trained army with their weapons is coming to support us in the war. The strength of that army is in Somalia,” said General Bihi. He said that the army will be needed due to the shortage of troops in the government which caused the army to be moved to distant areas by airlift.
The Minister of Defense of Somalia, Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur Jama, has already said that the return of this army is of particular importance to the Somali people and the Ministry of Defense, and they will add new blood to the operations against Al-Shabaab.
Attacks against Al-Shabaab have increased as the army has taken over key towns. Al-Shabaab is now on the verge of losing the entire central region, such as Mudug and Galgaduud.
On the other hand, the Somali federal government and the regional governments are last week discussed in Mogadishu how to cooperate in the fight against Al-Shabaab.
President Hassan Sheikh recently said that the regional governments of Al-Shabaab’s territory should be tolerated immediately and the government should never engage in other work until Al-Shabaab is cleared from their territory.
The commander said that the land that was liberated from Al-Shabaab is very wonderful and does not deserve to have an enemy, and he is satisfied to remain in the field until it is liberated from Al-Shabaab.
He said that the army will be needed due to the shortage of troops in the government which caused the army to be moved to distant areas by air.