Somalia: Al Shabaab members release raises concerns in Puntland

GAROWE, Somalia, December 7, 2015 (Garowe Online Exclusive)-Saturday, on December 5, 2015, apparently over two days ago, assailants armed with pistols shot and killed (Toyota Mark II wagon) driver—Hassan Mahad Absiye Seed- in Lasanod, the provincial capital of northern Somalia region of Sool.

Security sources told Garowe Online that two masked gunmen carried out the shooting, and immediately managed to flee.

Having spoken with sources with direct knowledge of the incident, we divulge mystery surrounding the killing of late Seed.

Why assassinated?

On 15^th of February, 2013 before dusk prayers on Friday afternoon, well known Mufti and one of the most respected Islamic Scholars on Somalia soil--Sheikh Abdulkadir Nur Farah--was killed by Al Shabaab hoodlum--who was later caught red-handed and executed-- inside Beder Mosque in Puntland capital, Garowe.

Barely, three hours after the cold-blooded murder of Sheikh Farah, Hassan Mahad Absiye Seed received a phone call informing him of decent remuneration for a person ill with something ironically in the village of Burawadal, 25 km off Garowe. The motorist rode eastwards towards Garowe, doubtful of why the patient couldn’t leave for Garowe, given its better medication.

Seed in advance gave a tip-off about his trip to Burawadal to police officers manning a security checkpoint on the outskirts of Lasanod.

Upon his drive back to Lasanod, would-be Al Shabaab operative was apprehended by Somaliland security forces. Following lengthy interrogation, they occupant admitted to being Al Shabaab accomplice complicit in the killing of Sheikh Abdulkadir Nur Farah.

On March 13, 2013, Somaliland turned over Al Shabaab member to Puntland.

From that outset, on February 15, 2013, until his demise two days ago, Seed had been ill at ease with imminent threats of assassination.

Mass release of convicted Al Shabaab members

The killing in Lasanod comes on the heels of widely circulated release of a bunch of Al Shabaab members, including some convicted of terror.

Garowe Online has learned that—in the course between 2014 and 2015—Puntland government freed close to 30 militants either sentenced to death or handed down life imprisonment in unprecedented sham order.

Credible sources implicated Puntland President Abdiweli Mohamed Ali, former Justice Minister Ismael Mohamed Warsame, Attorney General and Military Court officials in the mass release of terrorists.

Officials might cahoot for handsome bribes, a source who asked to remain anonymous confirmed.

Most inmates were possibly sneaked off in jail transfers, with others set free aboard armored personnel carriers.

UN investigators expressed concern over the surging threats of Al Shabaab Northeast in a confidential report released in October.

Garowe Online Investigative Reporters have contributed to this report.