Rantburg

Today's Front Page   View All of Sat 05/04/2024 View Fri 05/03/2024 View Thu 05/02/2024 View Wed 05/01/2024 View Tue 04/30/2024 View Mon 04/29/2024 View Sun 04/28/2024
2023-05-26 Africa Horn
Somalia forces foil major Al-Shabaab attack
[Garowe] Hawk-eyed Somalia security forces foiled a would-be deadly al-Shabaab
...... al-Qaeda's tentacle in East Africa...
attack, police revealed, with the Death Eaters targeting flood-prone Beledweyne town in Central Somalia where the group has been carrying out attacks mostly against innocent civilians and security officers.

Sirad Omar, a police brass hat, said security forces intercepted a jacket wallah with explosives in a bag just moments before he blew them up. This was a well-calculated security move that saved many innocent lives, said the officer, while acknowledging contributions by members of security teams.

"The police ordered him to halt, but he threw the bag and fled," he said. "He was almost blowing himself up and the outcome would have been absolutely devastating. This was a timely intervention and we are grateful to the coppers for their swift action."

The explosive was left at the entrance of a popular restaurant near the Liqliqato Bridge in the bustling Howlwadag neighbourhood, a frequent meeting spot for traditional elders and military officials. The Death Eaters usually target civilians, members of security forces, and senior government officials.

Although the explosives managed to detonate, they did not cause mass damage, the officer said, adding that only a few buildings were affected. The suspect, who is believed to be a member of al-Shabaab managed to escape and a manhunt operation has been launched to pursue him, he said.

A few months ago, in the same central Somali town of Beledweyne, at least 20 people were killed and 36 others injured in triple explosions. The al-Shabaab holy warrior group grabbed credit for the attack, which was widely condemned by members of the international community and local politicians.

Beledweyne town has been facing attacks from the Death Eaters for a while but the recent operation against the group significantly reduced their threat. The government of Somalia is activating the second phase of operations against the group which has lost significant territories in recent months.



Posted by trailing wife 2023-05-26 00:00|| || Front Page|| [16 views ]  Top
 File under: al-Shabaab (AQ) 

09:09 Procopius2k
09:08 Mullah Richard
09:06 Procopius2k
08:46 Skidmark
08:44 Mercutio
08:42 Mercutio
08:38 Mercutio
08:37 Super Hose
08:37 Skidmark
08:36 nitpicker
08:34 Mercutio
08:34 Skidmark
08:34 Huputle+Cherelet4131
08:33 Mercutio
08:31 Mercutio
08:29 Bugs+Mussolini3055
08:21 Skidmark
08:14 Tom
08:09 Skidmark
08:07 Besoeker
08:05 M. Murcek
07:58 Mullah Richard
07:56 Procopius2k
07:55 Procopius2k









Paypal:
Google
Search WWW Search rantburg.com