IJA president Ahmed Mohamed Islam alias Ahmed Madoobe speaking to the local media outlets stated that Juba forces and African union peace-keeping troops and Somali National Army are now ready to advance and capture Al-shabab controlled areas in the region.

"Early next year (2016) the joint forces will be able to uproot Al-Shabab from the region” Ahmed Madobe said.

Al-Shabab controls large swathes of remote areas in South and Central Somalia despite heavy operations jointly launched by government forces together with AMISOM troops.