Somalia's intelligence agency warns of al Shabaab threat against top leaders

Somalia's intelligence agency warns of al Shabaab threat against top leaders
April 5, 2022, 9:57 am

People walk near the wreckage of a car near the complex housing Somalia’s ministries of works and labor stormed by al-Shabaab militants in Somalia’s capital Mogadishu. (File photo: AFP)

The Swissinfo reported, citing Reuters, Somalian intelligence agency warned on Tuesday (5 Apr), the al Shabaab group linked to al Qaeda plans to target Somali President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed and Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble.

The report said that violence by the group, which aims to topple the central government and impose its own severe version of Islamic law, has been an impediment to parliamentary elections taking place since November.

The National Intelligence and Security Agency said on Twitter: "We informed the key government officials of a plot in which al Shabaab mafia wants to target the president and prime minister," adding that "Mohamed Mahir, senior al Shabaab member, is conducting the plot."

The agency gave no further details. Spokespeople at the offices of President Mohamed and Prime Minister Roble were not immediately available to comment.

Al-Shabaab fighters display weapons as they conduct military exercises in northern Mogadishu, Somalia. (File photo AP)

Al Shabaab's spokespeople were not immediately available to comment.

The group frequently attacks civilians and government officials and installations. In February, it attacked election delegates in the capital, Mogadishu. The delegates were unharmed but six bystanders were killed.

Late last month, al Shabaab killed 48 people in Beledweyne, around 300 km (185 miles) north of Mogadishu, including traders, clerics, officials and civilians.

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Among those killed was Amina Mohamed, a vocal critic of the government, on the eve of her expected re-election.

Source: swissinfo

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