Senior officers arrested in Somalia over suicide attack in army base

MOGADISHU, Somalia - The government of Somalia has arrested at least three military officers in connection to Monday's deadly Al-Shabaab attack at a Somali National Army [SNA] training base in Mogadishu, officials said, in what could give a clue to what may have transpired during the incident.

Monday's attack at Jaalle Siyaad Military Academy left at least 25 members of the Somali National Army dead, with authorities confirming that those who died were mainly trainees from Lower Shabelle. Dozens of officers were critically injured during the attack, which caught security officers unaware.

Those arrested, officials said, include a military Colonel, which is a senior rank within the army, not just in Somalia but within other military jurisdictions. The identity of the officials is yet to be disclosed, officials said, in what would help authorities to conclude investigations.

Two security sources confirmed the arrest to VOA. There is a possibility of more arrests as authorities seek answers about what happened, as Somalia seeks to restore order and normalcy amid the ongoing drawdown of troops attached to the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia [ATMIS].

Investigators are particularly interested in finding out who assisted the bomber in getting inside the base, security officers told the Voice of America. There are claims that senior military officials may have aided the Al-Shabaab militants in accessing the heavily fortified base, which is used for sophisticated training.

The attack came at the time the government of Somalia was plotting the second phase of operations against Al-Shabaab, a group that has been fighting to topple the fragile UN-backed federal government of Somalia. The second phase of operations against the group will focus on Jubaland and Southwest.

Initially, the government did manage to spearhead a military campaign that targeted HirShabelle and Galmadug states, leaving close to 3,000 Al-Shabaab militants dead. The African Union Transition Mission in Somalia, the US Africa Command, and local militia were responsible for the operations.

Somalia has indicated that its troops are ready to assume security responsibilities from the ATMIS team which has been serving since 2007, but Monday's attack exposed gaps within the national troops. At least 15,000 new soldiers have been recruited and trained by friendly nations to serve the purpose, authorities confirmed.

GAROWE ONLINE