Al-Shabaab bomb attack foiled in Somalia

BAIDOA, Somalia - Police in Baidoa, the interim administrative capital of Southwest, foiled a would-be deadly attack in the town, authorities said, in the latest wave of crackdown against the militants, who are seeking to overthrow the fragile UN-backed Somalia administration, officials added.

Vigilant police officers blocked a possible bomb attack after seizing explosive devices that were being transported in a Tuk-Tuk, with the suspects believed to have been plotting an attack within the town, which is prone to frequent Al-Shabaab attacks.

Two Al-Shabaab suspects were arrested by the police while the third suspect managed to escape after wounding a security officer by stabbing him with a knife, officials added. This would have been the first attack against the militants in as many months after days of relative calm.

Police are currently interrogating the two suspects and thereafter, they will be subjected to military court trial over links to Al-Shabaab. Somalia uses the military court for expedited trial given its efficiency and effectiveness according to the residents and top government officials.

For the last seven months, the military teams across the country have intensified onslaught against Al-Shabaab militants further gaining ground in regions previously considered as hostile against the government. Several Al-Shabaab militants have either been killed or arrested.

There have been concerns over the future of the country due to the expected exit of African Union Mission Forces from Somalia under the Somali Transition Plan which is expected to be fully implemented by the end of 2021. There are close to 22,000 AU Mission Forces in Somalia.

Also, troubling authorities in Somalia is the plan by the US military to vacate the country amid the ongoing Al-Shabaab war. The US has close to 500 soldiers in the country who train and equip the Danab Special Forces and who are also responsible for coordinating aerial attacks.

GAROWE ONLINE