Somalia: NISA forces arrest Al-Shabaab suspects

MOGADISHU, Somalia - The National Intelligence Security Agency [NISA] arrested several suspected Al-Shabaab militants in Shabelle regions, state media reported, in the wake up of unprecedented attacks by the group, which usually targets innocent civilians, members of security forces, and senior government officials.

On Wednesday, authorities confirmed, the elite intelligence team combed both Lower Shabelle and parts of Middle Shabelle where the militants have been hiding while coordinating attacks. The officers whisked the militants from their hideouts in farms, state media reports.

Although the correct number of those arrested has not yet been established, the security team published several photos of the suspects. This comes a few months after the conclusion of the first phase of operations against the militants which covered HirShabelle and Galmadug states.

"The National Intelligence and Security Agency NISA conducted a series of operations against the Al-Shabaab terrorist group in several villages and farms throughout the Shabelle regions today. During these operations, individuals suspected of collaborating with Al-Shabaab were apprehended," read the statement.

Security Forces have increased surveillance across the country amid the withdrawal of a number of soldiers attached to the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia [ATMIS] who have been keeping Al-Shabaab at bay in the country. ATMIS has withdrawn about 2,000 soldiers from the country.

By September, an additional 3,000 soldiers are expected to leave the country in compliance with the Somali Transition Plan [STP]. However, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has requested assistance from Kenya, Djibouti, and Ethiopia, which have agreed to dispatch non-ATMIS troops to the country.

Somalia's security agents have been fighting to control the country from Al-Shabaab, who are determined to topple the fragile UN-backed federal government of Somalia. Several soldiers have been trained abroad and it is anticipated that they will resume security responsibilities from the ATMIS troops.

GAROWE ONLINE