Somalia president chairs security meeting in Mogadishu after US terror alert

MOGADISHU, Somalia - President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud chaired a high-level security meeting in Mogadishu on Wednesday, in yet another spirited effort to keep an eye on the measures taken to prevent the Al-Shabaab militants from raiding the Somali capital.

Last week, the US embassy in Nairobi warned of impending terror attacks within Mogadishu, while issuing security alerts to its citizens. The Americans asked citizens to take precautions, citing intelligence sources.

Although the attacks are yet to be actualized, President Hassan Sheikh may have taken the opportunity to share insights while checking on the alertness of security teams within the Somali capital, Mogadishu, which is a major target of the militants.

Present in the meeting were Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre, top security chiefs from the military and police and Banadir Region’s governor and mayor of Mogadishu Yusuf Madale among other government officials, who are directly involved with security operations in the country.

Sources privy to the details surrounding the meeting said the leadership discussed the best ways of keeping Mogadishu secure from the al-Shabaab, who have been Knocking for a while. Combating organised crimes was also discussed.

The al-Shabaab militants are struggling to return to the capital over a decade after they lost the battle to Somali Security Forces and those from the African Union. In addition, the militants are under severe attack from security teams on various frontlines.

The United Kingdom donated £2.75 million through the United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS) which will assist in training and equipping Somali forces. The international community is keep to train and equip local forces who are supposed to take over security responsibilities from foreign troops.

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud declared total war against al-Shabaab and for the last two years, the group has lost significant territories across the country. The government has also managed to trace and block money accounts linked to sponsorship of terror activities.

GAROWE ONLINE