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Despite recent militant attacks, Robow assures the public that Al-Shabaab is weakening, while the government and its allies intensify efforts to defeat the group
Mogadishu (HOL) — Somali Minister of Religious Affairs, Mukhtar Robow Ali, has reassured the public that Mogadishu is not at risk of falling into the hands of the militant group Al-Shabaab. He dismissed fears that the group is gaining strength, saying they no longer have the power to launch a serious attack on the capital.
Speaking at a press conference on Sunday, Robow acknowledged that Al-Shabaab has recently carried out several attacks, but he insisted that this does not mean they are making a comeback. He rejected comparisons between Somalia’s situation and that of war-torn countries like Syria and Afghanistan.
“Mogadishu is not like Kabul or Damascus, and Al-Shabaab’s leader, Ahmed Diiriye, is no great strategist,” Robow said. “A leader who isolates himself cannot rule a nation. The only way to defeat these extremists is by standing together and resisting.”
Robow himself was once a top Al-Shabaab leader and served as the group’s deputy before defecting in 2017. He joined the Somali government in 2022 as Minister of Religious Affairs, making him one of the strongest voices against the militants today.
His statement comes after a series of Al-Shabaab attacks in central Somalia, where the group has been more aggressive than in previous months. The militants temporarily took control of several towns, including Balcad, which is just 30 kilometers (19 miles) from Mogadishu. Although government forces recaptured these areas, the ease with which Al-Shabaab advanced raised concerns about Somalia’s security strategy.
The U.S. Embassy in Mogadishu recently issued a warning about “imminent attacks” in Somalia, including potential threats to Aden Adde International Airport. As a result, the embassy restricted the movement of its personnel for safety reasons.
However, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud dismissed these warnings, calling them “propaganda.” He emphasized that Somalia is making real progress in fighting Al-Shabaab. The president also promised more military operations, including airstrikes, to weaken the group.
“We can only defeat this enemy if we stand together,” Mohamud said. “Stay away from areas controlled by Al-Shabaab—airstrikes are coming.”
Al-Shabaab began its latest offensive on February 20, launching coordinated attacks in Middle Shabelle and Hiraan regions. The group temporarily captured key locations like El Ali Ahmed, Ali Fooldheere, and Daarunimca, and even released photos showing their fighters inside government buildings before being forced to retreat.
On February 25, Al-Shabaab briefly seized Balcad, an important town on the road to Mogadishu, causing government forces to withdraw. However, Somali troops quickly launched a counterattack and recaptured Balcad the same day. Despite this victory, the attack highlighted weaknesses in federal security forces.
The U.S. military has been assisting Somalia in its fight against Al-Shabaab through targeted airstrikes. On March 5, an airstrike in El Ba’ad killed senior Al-Shabaab commander Yusuf Dhegnaas along with several other fighters. Somali officials praised this operation, calling it a major blow to the group.
At Sunday’s press conference, Minister Robow stood alongside respected Somali religious scholars, who strongly condemned Al-Shabaab’s actions. They urged Somalis to unite against the militants and reject their ideology.
Robow also shared a personal story to illustrate Al-Shabaab’s brutality. He revealed that the group had kidnapped his brother’s wife during the Islamic month of Sha’ban, leaving her five-month-old baby abandoned in the wilderness.
“Their cruelty has no limits,” he said. “I urge them to fear Allah and repent.”
Another religious leader, Sheikh Ali Wajiis, also spoke at the event, denouncing Al-Shabaab for distorting Islam and misleading people. He stressed that the group does not represent true Islamic teachings.
The Somali government continues its military campaign to defeat Al-Shabaab, with hopes of bringing lasting peace to the country.