Monday 21, April 2025 {HMC} The commander of Somalia’s Ma’awisleey community defense forces, Ali Jeyte Osman, has called for the relocation of children and wives of Al-Shabaab fighters from government-controlled areas to territories still under militant control.
During an interview with Radio Shabelle on Sunday, Ali Jeyte expressed frustration over the presence of families of Al-Shabaab militants living in safety within cities under federal administration while the group continues to target civilians and government forces.
“I would suggest that Al-Shabaab should take their children and wives to their places. They are in schools in the cities—I don’t think they should kill the children, but I would say take them to their places so that they feel the pressure,” Jeyte said.
Jeyte emphasized that while he does not advocate harming children, he believes the continued presence of militants’ families in urban areas undermines justice and places undue strain on communities still recovering from attacks.
He described Al-Shabaab as more ruthless than Somalia’s former colonial powers, accusing the group of having no respect for human life or religious principles. “They kill 500 people and claim they are closer to God, but they lie about the God who created them,” he said.
The controversial remarks come amid intensified military operations in the Middle and Lower Shabelle regions, where Somali government forces and allied militias are attempting to dislodge Al-Shabaab from key strongholds.
Al-Shabaab, which has waged a violent insurgency in Somalia for over 15 years, is designated a terrorist organization by the Somali government, the United Nations, the United States, and the African Union. The group continues to carry out suicide bombings, assassinations, and attacks against civilians and security forces across the country
