Two soldiers suspected to be linked to al-Shabaab detained in Villa Somalia

MOGADISHU, Somalia- Security forces have arrested two soldiers on suspicion of links to al-Shabaab, inside Somalia's Presidential Palace "Villa Somalia" in Mogadishu  on Tuesday, Garowe Online reports.

Sources at the presidency said the compound was temporarily on lock-down, and the security has been tightened after two soldiers who are not members of the presidential guards were spotted

The two suspects were nabbed during a massive security operation by the forces and they have been taken to a secure prison inside the Palace, where are they being questioned.

Several other people said to be members of presidential staff were also arrested over al-Shabaab links, and being aware of the anonymous soldiers entering in Villa Somalia, according to the sources.

Tuesday's operation came following an intelligence report by the National Security and Intelligence Agency (NISA) about a suspicious movement by the arrested soldiers within the Presidential compound.

There was no official statement from the government security agencies about the development in the country's Presidential Palace which is protected by both Somali forces and African Union troops (AMISOM).

GAROWEONLINE