President Hassan Sheikh: It is unlikely that Al-Shabaab will ever regain control of Somalia

Mogadishu (Caasimada Online) – The President of Somalia, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, has ruled out the possibility that the Al-Shabaab group could once again gain control of the country's leadership, stating that although the conflict may continue, the group cannot return to the level it previously reached in Somalia.

“This conflict may continue for some time, but there is no possibility that Al-Shabaab will return and take control of the entire country,” Hassan Sheikh said in an interview he gave to Al Jazeera.

“The return of Al-Shabaab is something that is not feasible. Likewise, a return to civil war, clan conflict, or political war is something that is not feasible,” he added.

The President stated that Al-Shabaab does not currently control the major cities of Somalia, and he also dismissed claims that the group operates a “parallel government” to the federal government.

He mentioned that Somalia is currently leading the strategy in the fight against Al-Shabaab, and that the opening of new fronts has pushed the group into rural areas.

Hassan Sheikh also stated that Al-Shabaab's tax system is based on fear and force, rather than being services that the group provides to the people from whom it collects money.

However, Al-Shabaab still has military power in parts of southern and central Somalia, and continues to carry out attacks, bombings, and targeted killings against government forces, officials, and civilians.

‘The Strongest Ally’

In the interview, Hassan Sheikh described the United States as Somalia's strongest ally in the fight against terrorism, stating that the security cooperation between Mogadishu and Washington continues.

This statement came as the president met in Mogadishu with Massad Boulos, who is the advisor to U.S. President Donald Trump on Arab and African affairs.

Villa Somalia stated that Hassan Sheikh and Boulos discussed regional and international issues that are important to both sides, and they reaffirmed the importance of the strategic partnership between Somalia and the United States.

The presidency did not specify whether the meeting specifically addressed operations against Al-Shabaab.

The meeting came as the United States has significantly increased its airstrikes in Somalia this year, targeting Al-Shabaab and the ISIS group.

The U.S. Africa Command, AFRICOM, has carried out dozens of airstrikes in Somalia this year, most of which are reported to be in cooperation with the federal government.

The United States also provides training and support to Somali forces, particularly the Danab forces, which play a significant role in operations against Al-Shabaab.

Al-Shabaab remains a threat

Although Hassan Sheikh ruled out the possibility of Al-Shabaab returning to power in the country, the group still has the capability to continue a prolonged conflict.

Al-Shabaab was expelled from Mogadishu in 2011, and in the following years, it was driven out of other major cities, but it still remains in many rural areas.

The group also continues to carry out bombings, direct attacks, and targeted killings within the country.

The Somali government forces, supported by local troops, the African Union mission, and international partners, have launched several attacks aimed at removing the group from the areas it controls.

These operations have led to several successes for the government, but Al-Shabaab has also, at various times, retaken areas and positions that government forces had previously cleared.

Hassan Sheikh's statements distinguish between two issues: that Al-Shabaab still has the capability to continue guerrilla warfare, and that it could once again gain the power to take over the country's leadership.

The President stated that the latter is not currently possible, although the fight against the group may still continue.