On Wednesday, top officials from Djibouti, Ethiopia, and Kenya decided to launch search and destroy operations to drive extremists from Al-Shabaab out of neighbouring Somalia.
The action comes after the federal government of Somalia has escalated its offensive against the al Qaeda-affiliated militia over the previous few months.
With the assistance of the US military, allied clan militias, and forces from Somali regional governments, it has regained control of a number of cities and villages in central Somalia.
In order to discuss ways to undermine Al-Shabaab, Somali counterpart Hassan Sheikh Mohamud met with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, Djiboutian President Ismail Omer Guelleh, and Kenyan President William Ruto in Mogadishu.
“The summit … agreed to jointly plan and organise a robust operational campaign at the frontline states level, of search and destroy on multiple frontlines aiming at key al-Shabaab strongholds across south and central Somalia,” they said in a joint statement.
“The time sensitive campaign will prevent any future infiltrating elements in the region,” the communique said, without providing any details about the operation.
The African Transition Mission in Somalia, ATMIS, a peacekeeping force with an African Union mandate, also receives personnel from the three nations.
When contacted for comment, Al Shabaab did not provide any. Since 2006, the group has fought to overthrow Somalia’s national government and install its own system of governance based on a strict application of Islamic Sharia law.
Despite a reasonably successful government response, it has launched large attacks against hotels, military bases, and government buildings in Somalia.
In a neighborhood close to President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s office, where the meeting was conducted, mortars were fired on Wednesday morning. No complaints of injuries or damage were made.
Additionally, the militant organisation has carried out operations in Kenya to put pressure on the country to pull its troops out of ATMIS.