Africa

Somalia to declare ‘state of war’ against al-Shabab

New offensive, reportedly to launch Saturday, aims to drive militias from their strongholds

21.10.2017 - Update : 21.10.2017
Somalia to declare ‘state of war’ against al-Shabab People carry bomb attack victims from the scene in the capital Mogadishu, Somalia on October 14, 2017. At least 358 people have died and many others injured after a truck bomb detonated in Mogadishu. ( Sadak Mohamed - Anadolu Agency )

By Recep Canik

MOGADISHU, Somalia

Somalia’s president is set to declare a "state of war" against the al-Shabab terror group, a military official said Friday.

President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed will soon announce the declaration against the group, which has been blamed for the country’s deadliest attack, a Somali army official said on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the press.

The official said the Somali government expects the U.S. to play a "supportive" role in a new offensive which the president is set to launch Saturday, according to the Associated Press.

Somali Army spokesman Capt. Abdullahi Iman said early Saturday that through the offensive, the government aims to eliminate militias from al-Shabab's "fortresses" located in the Lower Shebelle and Central Shabelle regions of southern Somalia.

On Saturday, a massive truck bomb exploded in the Somali capital, Mogadishu, killing at least 358 people and injuring scores more.

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