By Asha Elmi - Reporter
Somalia, 3 July 2026 – Somalia plans a new offensive against Al Shabaab, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud said on Thursday.
Speaking at an event in Mogadishu, Mohamud said the government would soon present a strategy for the next phase of military operations against the Al Qaeda-linked group.
“The government has a clear plan,” the president said. “Once preparations are complete, we will present it to the Somali people. We want to launch another offensive to liberate the country from Al Shabaab.”
He did not provide details on the timing or scope of the planned operation.
The announcement comes as Somalia continues military operations against Al Shabaab, which has waged an insurgency against the federal government for more than 15 years.
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Mohamud described Al Shabaab as a major threat to Somalia’s security and stability, saying the group continued to pose a serious danger to civilians.
Alongside the military warning, the president renewed an amnesty offer for Al Shabaab members willing to surrender and reintegrate into society.
He urged young fighters to abandon the group and return to the government, saying those who defect would be given an opportunity to rebuild their lives.
The government has previously combined military operations with reconciliation efforts aimed at encouraging defections from Al Shabaab.
Somalia’s anti-Al Shabaab campaign has been supported by local militias, African Union forces and international partners.