Somali Minister Reveals High-ranking Officers Sharing Military Intelligence with Al-Shabaab

MOGADISHU, Somalia – Omar Ali Abdi, the Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Defence, revealed that some senior government officials under President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s administration have been sharing sensitive military intelligence directly with Al-Shabaab militants.

Ali stated that the government is currently investigating these officials, who are suspected of collaborating with Al-Shabaab, and that measures will be taken, including stripping them of their ranks and removing them from the military register.

"Some former officials are passing crucial military information to Al-Shabaab, including secrets related to ongoing operations," said Ali, who expressed support for the administration's efforts to defend the government and its recent military appointments.

This disclosure is not new to the Somali public, who have long suspected that Al-Shabaab has infiltrated government institutions, the military, and other key offices. This infiltration has allowed the group to access critical intelligence, including sensitive details about military operations.

On Friday, near Boos-Hareeri, located in the Middle Shabelle region, senior government military officer Abukar Abdulle Raage Gar-Maqaate was killed, along with his accompanying troops. Their vehicles were seized by the militants.

The government has faced setbacks in its operations in the Shabelle region, with areas that were previously liberated from Al-Shabaab now slipping back into the militants' control. Continuous attacks are also making it difficult for the government forces to maintain their defense.

GAROWE ONLINE