Somalia: Senior officials arrested over Mogadishu hotel bombing

MOGADISHU, Somalia, March 9, 2015 (Garowe Online)-Eight senior officials within the police and intelligence service have been arrested in connection with an attack on Mogadishu’s SYL hotel prior to the arrival of Turkish President Recep Tayyib Erdogan, Garowe Online reports.

The apparently coordinated terror attack was carried out by a bomber who rammed his explosive laden car into the hotel during a bilateral meeting between Turkish delegation and Somalia government officials on January 22.

GO has received the names of the senior commanders whose identities have since been kept secret.

1-Hassan Dahir-National Intelligence Mobilizer General
2-Abdifatah Adan Biid- Gaashaan special forces commander
3-Mohamed Dahir-Hodon police station commander
4-Bashiir Janig- Deputy commander of Hodon Police station
5-Mohamed Ismail Indho-Gorey-Waliyow Ade division commander
6-Mahad Abdihakin (Mahad Korow)- Warta Nabada intelligence command commander
7-Mohamed Khadar Hassan-Deputy Commander of Waberi intelligence command
8-Ali Shiine-Western division commander

Two traffic police officers were captured along with the 8 officials who were suspected of transferring a tip-off about the gathering in SYL hotel.

On January 25, with major streets under lockdown, Erdogan arrived on second visit in war-torn Mogadishu.

Al Shabaab infiltration and delayed intelligence overhaul are believed to have contributed to near-daily rampages, largely in volatile Mogadishu.

GO was unable to independently verify the dates on which scattered captures were made.

GAROWE ONLINE