Somali president calls on people to unite against al-Shabab

The President of Somalia, Hassan Sheikh Mahmoud, condemned the terrorist attacks carried out by Al-Shabaab militias linked to Al-Qaeda who massacred Somali civilians who were on their way to their normal daily lives, and who were present in the “Afer Erdoud” area of ​​Beledweyne in Hirshabeli State, and “Adkaber” of the Governorate Galgudud, Galmudug State.

The President pointed out that the heinous terrorist acts carried out by the terrorist enemy against civilians have no basis in the true Islamic religion, patriotism and sound culture, and are an example of the hostility they show towards the Somali people, and how they constitute an obstacle to the comprehensive development of the country.

President Hassan Sheikh Mahmoud said that the rebellion of the Al-Shabab militia does not allow the Somali people to live in peace, stability and security, but rather they are trying to intimidate and shed the blood of citizens, steal their property and destroy their wells.

He said: “The Somali people are aware of the enmity and brutality of the terrorists who sacrificed their blood and wealth, and I hope that they will persevere and not surrender, to eliminate this desperate criminal group. I call on all the Somali people to fully back and support the valiant armed forces in fighting this terrorist group, and the only way to defeat them is to stand together and unite in the war against them.”

The President of the Republic stressed that the Somali people and the government are working together to take immediate and joint measures to target Al-Shabaab terrorists to hold them accountable for the crimes they committed against civilians who were killed in Hiran region and the country in general.

President Hassan Sheikh Mahmoud praised the dedicated efforts of our valiant forces and the organizers who live in Hiran area in Hirshabeli state and Galguduud area in Galmudug state, and made a strong appeal to the Somali people everywhere to eliminate terrorist groups thirsty for the blood of the Somali people.

Today, Saturday, Al-Shabab militia committed a massacre in Hiran Governorate, killing at least 20 civilians. This massacre came after gunmen from the terrorist Al-Shabab movement set up an armed ambush for the victims of the attack, west of the city of Baldwin.

Well-informed local sources said that all the victims of the attack were civilians, including women, children and the elderly, who were riding trucks transporting goods between the city of Baladin and the Hamas district in the same governorate.