Wednesday April 9, 2025
Somalia’s Second Deputy Prime Minister Abdisalaan Abdi Ali (center left) visits a wounded soldier at a hospital in Mogadishu on April 9, 2025, accompanied by members of the National Committee for Supporting the Fight Against Al-Shabab and ISIS.
Mogadishu (HOL) — Somalia’s Second Deputy Prime Minister Abdisalaan Abdi Ali visited wounded soldiers in Mogadishu hospitals on Wednesday, pledging full government support and urging Somalis across the country and abroad to contribute financially to the ongoing war against Al-Shabab and ISIS.
Leading a delegation from the National Committee for Supporting the Fight Against Al-Shabab and ISIS, which he chairs, Abdisalaan toured four hospitals where Somali National Army troops and allied local fighters are being treated: the Armed Forces Hospital, Erdogan Hospital (formerly Digfeer), Medina Hospital, and Martini Hospital.
“These heroes have sacrificed for the country, and the government will stand by them every step of the way,” Abdisalaan said. “This is a national committee working across all regions of Somalia. We are committed to supporting our national army, regional forces, and community fighters. We call on Somali citizens, businesses, and companies to join us by contributing financial assistance to those on the frontlines of this national struggle.”
The visit follows intensified operations in central and southern Somalia, where government forces, supported by local militias and international partners including the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) and U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), are targeting Al-Shabab strongholds.
Abdisalaan described the militant group as being in its “final throes” and emphasized the importance of unity in defeating insurgents who have destabilized the country for over a decade. “We need collective action from every sector of Somali society,” he said.
During the visit, the committee met directly with injured personnel, offering encouragement and promises of continued support. The delegation also met with hospital staff, urging them to maintain high standards of care for those wounded in the line of duty.
The National Committee, formed to coordinate logistical, financial, and moral support for frontline forces, operates across Somalia. It has been tasked with ensuring wounded soldiers receive medical treatment and that both government resources and public contributions go back to frontline units.