Ankara (Anadolu Agency) – By Onur Usta and Ali Öztürk — Somali Prime Minister Abdi Farah Shirdon stated that Somalia is determined to dismantle al-Shabaab, the al-Qaeda-linked militant group responsible for continued threats to the country’s security and democratic progress.
In an interview with Anadolu Agency, Shirdon emphasized that the group poses a grave danger not only to Somalia but to the region as a whole. “Al-Shabaab opposes all forms of authority and exists solely to kill and spread fear,” he said, adding that the group frequently exploits children in its attacks.
Al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for the September 21 attack on a shopping mall in Kenya, which left at least 72 people dead. Shirdon acknowledged that Somali authorities had not anticipated the attack but said they are committed to strengthening intelligence and security forces to prevent future tragedies.
He also referenced a July 27 attack by al-Shabaab on the Turkish mission in Mogadishu, in which three people were killed, as further evidence of the group’s threat.
Highlighting the broader implications, Shirdon stated that promoting democracy in Muslim countries is key to curbing violence. “Most Muslim countries have yet to take meaningful steps toward democratization,” he said. “Re-evaluating democratic principles could play a significant role in addressing the root causes of violence.”