Nat’l Army Commander detained in central Somalia

BELEDWEYNE, Somalia-Security forces in central Beledweyne town have put the commander of Somali National Army (SNA) units in Galgadud region behind bars on suspicion of murder on Monday, Garowe Online reports. 

Col. Mohamed Kariye Arale had since been spearheading anti-militant offensives in the eastern parts of Galgadud.  

The commander had reportedly been tricked into fresh training for military officers in the town of Beledweyne.  

Sources close to the army say, Arale is a likely accomplice in the killing of former Al Shabaabofficial Isse Ali Mire who defected to the government.  

El Bur District Commissioner whose town is where the killing took place was earlier quoted as saying that doubts were lingering over who was responsible for the assassination of the militantsdeserter.  

The arrest marks the first that is implicating high ranking commander within the army.

GAROWEONLINE