Egypt pledges to support Somalia to fight extremist group al Shabaab

Egyptian president Abdel-Fattah el-Sisi has pledged to support Somalia in its reinforced fight against extremist group al Shabaab.

Sisi assured his Somali counterpart Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed of the North African country’s support via a telephone call on Wednesday, the Egyptian presidency said in a statement.

“The president reiterated Egypt’s firm position in supporting Somalia’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, and asserted his support for the country’s efforts to restore stability,” they said.

Al Shabaab is believed to be behind late last month’s deadly attack in Mogadishu when a truck carrying bombs exploded in the heart of the city killing over 400 people.

This attack was described as the deadliest. Somalia gained help from Turkey and neighbouring countries who offered medical assistance to the injured and airlifted the critically wounded.

Somalia’s president court for support from its neighbours to renew attacks on the group that is seeking to topple the western-backed government and impose its strict version of the Sharia law.

Uganda, Ethiopia and Djibouti have pledged to support the country militarily to fight the extremist group. Somalia is facing an arms embargo imposed by the United Nations 25 years ago. This leaves the government forces with only light weapons to fight al Shabaab.

There were at least two bombings after the deadliest October 14 blast.