Africom seeking a more robust fight against al-Shabaab in Somalia

The United States Africa Command (Africom) works to end the control the Qaeda-leaning al-Shabaab movement imposes on parts of Somalia.

The command tries to do this by enlisting intelligence support from a number of countries, especially from the United States.

Africom Commander Gen. Stephen J. Townsend paid a visit recently to Jubaland in southern Somalia to discuss means of fighting the movement with the state's officials.

Townsend held a meeting with the state's president Ahmed Madobe to discuss the fight against al-Shabaab which controls some parts of Jubaland now.

Jubaland said in a statement that discussions between the Africom Commander and President Madobe focused on the fight against al-Shabaab as well as the role the United States plays in the fight against the movement.

American troops pulled out of Somalia in January 2021. The troops were deployed in some neighboring countries.

Townsend's visit to Jubaland comes amid reports of potential attacks by al-Shabaab in Somali capital Mogadishu in the coming period.

Some of the group's terrorists are papering for attacks in the Somali capital and some other areas in Somalia, according to Somali media which quoted some local and foreign intelligence officials.

Some security officials estimated the number of terrorists ready to stage the attacks at eight.

They said the terrorists would likely target security posts and police stations, along with the premises of ministries, restaurants and hotels.