Renegade military officer arrested in Somalia over chaos in Mogadishu

MOGADISHU, Somalia - A military renegade officer has been arrested by police in Somalia, police said on Saturday, following a night of chaos in the capital Mogadishu, which left at least three people dead and several injured, potentially compromising the fight against Al-Shabaab militants.

General Sheegow Ahmed Ali and his team engaged police officers in a gunfight from Friday evening until Saturday afternoon, police confirmed, noting that he has since been arrested ahead of trial, where he will be formally charged in the court of law for his actions.

Also arrested were 25 soldiers loyal to him, with the state now keen to charge him with displacement of people, who ran away from their homes following the heavy gunfight within the rather stable Mogadishu. The Somali capital has been enjoying relative peace lately, police said.

According to reports, fighting broke out on Friday at 9 pm local time as police arrived at Kaawo Godey within Mogadishu after residents tipped security officers over a breach of security within the area. Other sources said the fighting broke out after police arrested two soldiers allied with General Sheegow sparking the fighting.

Among those killed, police said, were a security personnel and two militias with nine others injured. Those injured have been rushed to various hospitals within Mogadishu for advanced treatment, police spokesperson Sadik Ali said in a statement.

Police accused Sheegow Ahmed Ali, of destabilising the security of the capital and fighting against the security forces. According to Police Spokesperson Sadik Ali, alleged stolen mobile phones and fake bank notes were found in his home during a coordinated raid.

Relative peace has been restored in Somalia's capital, with police also taking caution of possible attacks. The incident comes as the country prepares for the second and perhaps final assault against Al-Shabaab militants, who usually take advantage of such security lapses to attack innocent civilians and security officers.

GAROWE ONLINE