Al-Shabaab top leader arrested in central Somalia

MOGADISHU, Somalia - The security forces in Central Somalia have arrested a key Al-Shabaab leader, following a crackdown that was instigated in the Galgadud region, which is prone to attacks from the militants.

The suspect, officials said, is linked to extortion links in the country and was the head of Zakat, which Al-Shabaab used to finance their activities in the country.

"NISA apprehended Idris Mohamed Sheikh, head of al-Shabaab's extortion operations in Middle Shabelle," state media reported the arrest on Tuesday, hours after he was apprehended in central regions.

According to reports, the Zakat official was captured in Marergur village, about 28km northeast of Dhusamareb on July 30. Dhusamareb is the regional administrative capital of Galmudug.

It’s alleged he worked with Al-Shabaab leader Ahmed Diriye when the current emir was the militant group’s shadow governor of Bay and Bakool regions more than 10 years ago. Diriye is on the list of the most wanted Al-Shabaab terrorists globally.

The Al-Shabaab militants have been carrying out sporadic attacks within the country, with the latest coming on Friday, where they raided popular Lido Beach, killing over 37 innocent civilians. The attack has been condemned widely by authorities.

The group has, however, lost significant territories in central and southern regions after the military activated the fight against the group. In southern regions, the Somali National Army and the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) troops are engaged in the second round of operations.

Al-Shabaab militants are fighting to topple the fragile UN-backed federal government of Somalia, which has been in place since 2012. The government has declared total war against the militants in central and southern regions.

GAROWE ONLINE