Somalia National Army chief says Eritrean-trained troops will join offensive

The Somalia National Army Chief General Odawa Yusuf Rageh believes that the Eritrean-trained Somali soldiers’ return will significantly boost the ongoing military offensive against Al-Shabaab.

He said that current military operations against Al-Shabaab are going exceedingly well, adding that SNA units and allied clan militias have liberated nearly all districts in central Somalia’s Hiiraan and Middle Shabelle.

He also declined to say whether the SNA was mobilizing to direct the offensive to southern regions, including Jubaland and the South West States.

General Odawa said he was confident in the SNA’s capabilities, particularly in defusing Improvised Explosive Devices. He said that special SNA units gained invaluable experience in recent years, and as a result, the threat has significantly decreased.