Somalia Blocks TikTok & Telegram
The government of Somalia stated on Sunday that it would be prohibiting the usage of the social media platforms TikTok and Telegram as well as an online betting app. The government cited the fact that “terrorists” were using these platforms to promote propaganda.
Al-Shabaab is an Islamist militant group that has been engaged in a deadly insurgency against the central government in Mogadishu for more than 15 years. This move comes ahead of a greatly anticipated second phase of a military attack against Al-Shabaab.
The Ministry of Communications and Technology issued a statement ordering internet service providers to enforce the ban by the 24th of August or risk the possibility of unspecified legal action being taken against them.
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“To hasten the war and eliminate the terrorists who have shed the blood of the Somali people, the minister of communication and technology has instructed companies that provide internet services to suspend TikTok, Telegram, and 1XBET betting applications. These are the applications that terrorists and groups responsible for spreading immorality use to spread graphic clips, photos, and mislead society.” “To hasten the war and eliminate the terrorists who have shed the blood of the Somali people.”
Since August of last year, the army has been fighting an attack against Al-Qaeda-related Al-Shabaab in central Somalia. The army has joined forces with local clan militias in this operation, which is also supported by troops from the African Union and air strikes from the United States.
Despite the government’s efforts, the Al-Shabaab rebels were eventually forced out of the capital city of Mogadishu in 2011, but they still control large swaths of the surrounding countryside and carry out deadly attacks against civilian, political, and military targets.
It is anticipated that President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud will shortly declare the second phase of the attack against the jihadists in southern Somalia. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has sworn to clear the unstable country in the Horn of Africa of jihadists.
Somalia Blocks TikTok & Telegram