Beledweyne, Somalia — Somalia's army chief for ground forces inspected frontline positions in the central town of Beledweyne on Sunday, urging troops to strengthen national defence and intensify operations against the Al-Shabaab militant group, the military said.
Major General Sahal Abdullahi Omar toured bases used by the 5th and 29th brigades of the 27th division of the Somali National Army in Beledweyne, the administrative capital of the Hiiraan region.
During the visit, Omar met officers and soldiers stationed in the area and called on them to reinforce defensive positions and accelerate the execution of their assigned duties, with a particular focus on ongoing counter-insurgency operations against Al-Shabaab.
The general praised the troops for their role in safeguarding civilians and maintaining stability in the region, according to a military statement.
The inspection forms part of ongoing efforts by Somalia's military leadership to boost morale, strengthen operational readiness and reinforce the armed forces' role in defending the country and restoring security amid continued operations against the Al-Qaeda-linked group.
