Mogadishu (Sunatimes) The cabinet of the Somali Transitional Federal Government has on Tuesday announced that it will halt the operations of the ports controlled by Al-shabab insurgent group in southern Somalia.

In a meeting that was headed by Prime Minister Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo in Mogadishu, the cabinet approved a decision to ban any international sea transport heading to or from the ports of Kismayo, Marka and Barawe. The ports are operated by Shabab militants.

The TFG said that it will intercept all ships heading to and from those ports. It will also ask the international community to help it impose the ban.

The Shabab militants use the ports to export charcoal and other business which provides huge revenue.

The cabinet has also asked the local media to support the TFG in the fight against Al-shabab.  It has also given a thirty day ultimatum for the youths fighting for Al-shabab to denounce the group.

The government recently launched an offensive against the insurgent group where they seized some strategic positions in Mogadishu that were previously controlled by the militia.

By Fadumo Farah