Mogadishu (WDN)- In an op-ed piece published by Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud outlined several strategic policy decisions and ongoing efforts by his administration to combat the extremist groups Al-Shabaab and ISIS (Daa’ish).

President Hassan Sheikh stated that he has been the target of six assassination attempts by Al-Shabaab since he first assumed office in 2012. “The most recent attempt on my life occurred on March 18, 2025,” he stated, underscoring the persistent and personal nature of the threat posed by the group.

The president also drew attention to the growing transnational dimension of terrorist networks in the region. He emphasized the strategic relationship between Al-Shabaab and the Houthi militia in Yemen, noting that Somali intelligence agencies have uncovered evidence of communication and operational coordination between the Houthis, and Al-Shabaab. According to President Hassan, this intelligence highlights the increasingly interconnected nature of extremist groups across the Horn of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula.

Reaffirming Somalia’s international alliances, President Hassan reiterated his government’s unwavering support for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. “From day one, Somalia has stood firmly with Saudi Arabia and joined the Islamic Military Counter-Terrorism Coalition to confront the Houthi threat and wider regional terrorism,” he said.

The president also celebrated a significant military victory against ISIS in the Cal Miskaad mountain range of northeastern Somalia. He reported that Somali government forces had successfully dismantled ISIS strongholds in the area, marking a major milestone in the fight against extremism.

President Hassan concluded by reaffirming his administration’s commitment to regional security and counterterrorism “achieving peace and security in Somalia cannot be isolated from regional stability in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden” emphasizing Somalia would continue to play a proactive role in combating terrorist networks both within its borders and across the region.

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