Al-Shabaab taking advantage of Somalia-Ethiopia conflict, says USWASHINGTON - Senior US officials are weary of the conflict between Somalia and Ethiopia over access to the Red Sea, which has preoccupied Mogadishu for the last nine months after Addis Ababa made its occupation intentions public. Before this conflict, the government of Somalia had declared total war against al-Shabaab militants. Within two years, significant progress was recorded in central and southern regions, where the group lost traditional bases after military operations. Somalia has reduced operations against Al-Shabaab, with the US now saying the conflict with Ethiopia is partly to blame. For instance, the second phase of operations against Al-Shabaab in southern regions was halted under unknown circumstances despite earlier plans.

Source: Ethiopian News October 14, 2024 10:15 UTC