Somalia forces arrest 2 Al-Shabaab militants, hands them over to Kenya

GARISSA, Kenya - In one of the most dramatic progress on the war against terror, Somali forces on Wednesday night arrested two suspected Al-Shabaab militants and handed them over to Kenya, Garowe Online reports.

Security forces in the Liboi border had intensified patrols following the recent IED explosion that claimed the lives of 11 Kenyan police officers, before officially receiving the suspects from Somali counterparts.

A report circulated to media on Thursday indicated that Farah Ahmed Sanbul alias Faragon and Mihat Daar Khalif had committed a number of crimes within Kenya before fleeing to Somalia.

The two, Liboi border patrol team said, were on the police radar having been linked to several Al-Shabaab related attacks within Kenya.

"Our team proceeded to Liboi for patrol where they were handed over suspects by Somali security officers. The suspects had committed several offenses before fleeing to Somalia," the report reads.

Somali forces managed to recover two AK 47, a pistol and several rounds of ammunition. They were handed over to Garissa police headquarters for further interrogation.

North Eastern Police Commander Paul Soi said investigations were underway, adding that security forces would give a detailed report to the media after accurate investigations.

“Investigations are ongoing. We shall address the media later,” the police boss said on Thursday.

A fortnight ago, Inspector General of Police Hillary Mutyambai confirmed that a multi-agency of security team had been deployed to Dadaab to pursue Al-Shabaab suspected who planned and executed the death of 11 GSU officers.

Liboi border has been the gate pass of terrorists. Security forces from Kenya and Somalia have been working hard to restore normalcy in the region.

The dramatic step from Somali forces comes at the time Kenya is determined to have Al-Shabaab blacklisted by the UN. The first attempt in August was blocked by the UNSC after an application by Somalia and the US which opposed the move.

Kenya first deployed her forces in Somalia in 2011to pursue the militants. Despite liberating a host of towns, the KDF team has suffered casualties, among them the death of over 200 soldiers at El Adde in the Gedo region in 2016.

Reporting by Abuga Makori in Nairobi; Editing by Omar Nor

GAROWE ONLINE