The Multifaceted Factors Behind the Somali National Army's Withdrawal from Key Fronts

The withdrawal of the Somali National Army (SNA) from areas previously reclaimed from Al-Shabaab marked a considerable setback, despite the initial optimism following President Hassan's election and his pledge to eradicate the terrorist group from Somalia. Early successes, such as the liberation of Ceelbuur and other villages, were overshadowed by a significant defeat in Cawswayne, resulting in the loss of numerous lives, including the armed forces' commander, Shaahmacabe. This led to the SNA's withdrawal from several key regions, including Ceelbuur, Masagawa, Budbud, Ceeldheer, and Cawswayne.

1. Lack of Unified National Policy and Army: A considerable segment of the Somali population perceives the SNA as a tribal militia rather than a unified national force, leading to a fragmented and ineffective front against Al-Shabaab as individual tribes often prioritize the liberation of their own territories.
2. Widespread Corruption: Corruption, particularly among army contractors, is rife. Many argue that the president's family has been involved in the corruption of medical supplies, food and supplies, fuel, weapons and ammunition, and communication and electronic equipment. This undermines the SNA's operational capacity and morale.
3. Lack of Organization, Communication, and Control: An absence of clear command and communication structures hinders the smooth execution of operations, leading to confusion and eventual withdrawal.
4. Infiltration by Al-Shabaab: Al-Shabaab has successfully infiltrated both the army and the government, posing a significant security threat and eroding trust and confidence within the forces.
5. Political Sabotage: Allegedly, some politicians desire President Hassan to fail in liberating the country from Al-Shabaab, complicating the situation further and undermining the SNA's efforts.
6. Perceived Lack of Leadership: Many view President Hassan as incompetent and ill-suited for his position, leading to a lack of collaboration and unified vision, hampering the fight against Al-Shabaab, and undermining the president's authority and the overall mission.
7. Tribal Conflicts: Tribal conflicts and priorities often overshadow the collective effort needed to combat Al-Shabaab, leading to a divided and weakened front.
8. Low Morale: A combination of inadequate resources, poor leadership, political sabotage, and Al-Shabaab infiltration leads to low morale among SNA troops, affecting their willingness to fight and overall battlefield effectiveness.
9. Poorly Defined Objectives: The absence of clearly defined military operation objectives makes it difficult for soldiers to understand their mission's purpose and goals, leading to a lack of focus and determination.
10. Lack of Local Support: The SNA often struggles to gain the trust and support of local communities, leading to a lack of ground intelligence and support.
11. Superior Tactics of Al-Shabaab: Al-Shabaab frequently employs guerrilla tactics, including ambushes, IEDs, and hit-and-run attacks, which the SNA is inadequately trained or equipped to handle.
12. External Support for Al-Shabaab: Al-Shabaab receives support from external sources, including foreign fighters, funding, and weapons, enhancing the group's capabilities and making it more challenging for the SNA to combat them.

In conclusion, the SNA's withdrawal from previously recaptured cities and villages was influenced by a combination of factors, including a lack of unified national policy and army, widespread corruption, poor organization, communication, and control, Al-Shabaab infiltration, political sabotage, perceived lack of leadership, tribal conflicts, low morale, poorly defined objectives, lack of local support, and superior tactics of Al-Shabaab. Addressing these issues is crucial for fostering unity, organization, and trust among the forces and the government, all of which are necessary for successfully liberating and securing the country.