NISA parades 12 Al-Shabaab suspects in Somalia

MOGADISHU, Somalia - Somalia's spy agency; the National Intelligence Security Agency (NISA) has paraded 12 suspected Al-Shabaab militants as the fight against the group garnered momentum across the Horn of Africa nation, which is battling with instability.

The suspected militants were rounded by security forces in Baidoa, the regional administrative capital of Southwest state, following intensive search mounted by local troops. Southwest is a major terror hotbed in Somalia.

According to NISA, the 12 individuals were arrested following a coordinated crackdown by national security forces in Baidoa city and its surroundings were extorting money from members of the public in the region.

The suspects, NISA added, will be charged in the military court in line with traditions set by security operatives in Somalia. Besides extortion, they are accused of killing members of the public along with endangering the lives of security teams.

Security and intelligence officers from the southern state of Somalia are continuing with operations in the region to ensure security is maintained. The second phase of operations against Al-Shabaab is set to be launched in Southwest and Jubaland states.

For the last two years, security teams have intensified operations against Al-Shabaab in central regions, killing at least 3,000 Al-Shabaab militants. In the process, hundreds of Al-Shabaab militants have also surrendered to security teams.

The second phase of operations was delayed due to logistical challenges but the government announced possible resumption in the coming months. The Somali National Army is expected to assume security responsibilities from foreign troops by the end of this year.

Already, about 5,000 African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) soldiers have left the country. By June this year, 5,000 more are set to leave as the African Union gears towards implementation of the Somali Transition Plan.

GAROWE ONLINE