Somali military experts discuss ways to help pacify country

Mogadishu, Somalia - Top military experts who served in Somalia’s former government before the country descended into chaos just 20 years ago have met in Djibouti, Burundi to discuss the role they can play in the ongoing efforts to defeat terrorists and pacify the war-ravaged horn of African nation.



Colonel Ahmed Shire Abdi who talked to reporters Thursday said that the meeting was all about how Somali military experts can take their role in the fight against terrorists whom he said are going to make Somalia their safe haven.

He called on Somali government and the Islamist rebel groups to stop using heavy shells that kill dozens each day in the capital Mogadishu alone.

“We hear daily in the news that tens of civilians are killed in fighting between government and rebels, that is really unacceptable and we are totally against it,” he added.

However he didn’t disclose whether they will take part in the upcoming offensive by Somali government to oust militants or their role will only be confined to giving consultations to Somalia’s world-backed transitional federal government.

For the past three years, fighting between government and Islamist rebels has killed at least 21,000 people mainly civilians in Mogadishu alone where over 1.5 million others have fled from their homes in the restive capital since early 2007.

Source: apanews.net