Al-Shabaab has no plans to reduce its presence in Somalia until it conquers the whole country.
Mahad Karate, Al-Shabaab’s No. 2, said this during an interview this week with a journalist from Channel 4 News.
Jamal Osman interviewed Karate on Thursday, June 16.
During the interview, Karate refuted claims that Al-Shabaab was done. He also told Osman that nobody could intimidate the group.
Karate hit out at the Somali government, which he called “weak and inconsequential” too.
His comments come hot on the recent promise by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud to work closely with other stakeholders to defeat the militant group.
For years, the United States government has placed Karate on its radar. It even pledged $5 million to anyone who has information that could lead to Karate’s arrest.