Somalia prepares for assault on al- Shabaab

Reports also suggested that al-Shabaab is planning to stage dedicated suicide bombing attacks in countries that are involved in the training of the government forces, but it was not clear if this will happen before or after the assault is launched.

The planned assault has been spearheaded by both the government and AMISOM and will be a major test for the Africa Union on whether it will succeed in taking over territory from the radical Islamists associated with Al Qaeda.

Previous attempts to restabilise Somali have been thwarted by the higher fire power possessed by the militias and clan differences that have led to the proliferation of militias.

As a consequence, the country is awash with small arms at the hands of non-state actors which security experts say are major catalyst for instability.

Success in reclaiming the country would require strength in numbers and military hardware on the part of the TFG army which should disarm insurgents in areas it takes over from the militia.

The exercise would also require an adequate pool of officers trained in community policing, who will them take over the liberated areas and establish law and order.

The United States is footing a huge chunk of the bill for training the TFG forces with the other finances coming from donors like the European Union. US last year admitted that it is supporting the Somalia government in money and equipment.

Michael Ranneberger, the ambassador of the US for Kenya has said this support will continue in 2010

But according to Ramtane Lamamra, the African Union (AU) Commissioner for Peace and Security, the support that Somalia is receiving from the international community is not adequate.

“The International community must step up its efforts to save Somalia from further ruin in 2010,” he said. “The interests of the rest of the world would be at stake unless al-Shabaab and Yemeni terrorists are tackled.”

The underlying reason for the planned assault is the growing concern that the Somalia issue has become a global problem with the profile of the country’s capacity to become a terrorist training and hiding ground increasing every day.

“The situation [in Somalia] is getting out of hand and it is going to affect everybody in this region, not only Somalia,” said Wafula Wamunyinyi, Deputy African Union Representative to Somalia.

The assault is also linked to the planned increase in the number of AMISOM troops because liberated areas will require peacekeepers to take over.

Last week, the AU extended the mandate of AMISOM beyond January 28 for one year. Reports not confirmed by AMISOM officials by the time of going to press indicated that the number of troops will be increased from the current 5,200 soon.

The AU Peace and Security Department also in mid-December approved plans to train more peacekeepers on maritime security and air defence capabilities to better protect war-ravaged Somalia.