Mogadishu, Somalia – The federal Minister of Defense, Ahmed Moallim Fiqi, on Monday paid a visit to the Somali National Army’s (SNA) Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Qorilow, Middle Shabelle, where he praised the courage and resilience of government troops fighting on the frontline against the militant group Al-Shabaab.
Addressing soldiers stationed at the base, Fiqi lauded their sacrifices in defending the nation and stressed the importance of sustaining military pressure on the insurgents. He urged commanders to intensify operations aimed at liberating the few remaining areas in the region still under Al-Shabaab control.
“The people of Somalia stand firmly behind you. Your bravery and determination are the backbone of our struggle to restore peace, stability, and sovereignty across this country,” Fiqi told the troops.
The visit comes as the government seeks to accelerate its multi-front campaign against Al-Shabaab, coinciding with the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) handover of bases to the SNA as part of the security transition plan. Middle Shabelle remains a strategic corridor, with Al-Shabaab maintaining pockets of influence that threaten vital supply routes and civilian populations.
Fiqi reaffirmed the government’s commitment to equipping and supporting the army with the resources needed to sustain operations. He also emphasized the need for close cooperation between the military and local communities to ensure liberated areas are stabilized and governance structures re-established.
Security analysts note that Middle Shabelle has been a flashpoint in recent months, with Al-Shabaab staging ambushes and planting roadside explosives targeting security forces and civilians. The SNA, backed by allied clan militias and international partners, has made gains but faces challenges in consolidating control over newly recovered areas.
The defence minister’s frontline visit is widely seen as a morale boost for the troops and a signal of the government’s determination to finish the current phase of its counter-insurgency campaign.
