Somalia: NISA officers destroy Al-Shabaab weapons in Mogadishu

MOGADISHU, Somalia - A cache of weapons was on Monday destroyed by National Intelligence Security Agency [NISA] officers within the Somali capital, Mogadishu, in the latest crackdown targeting Al-Shabaab militants in the Horn of Africa nation.

The weapons, authorities said, were unearthed during a planned operation by the sleuths, who had investigated the plan in Huriwaa District, north of the capital Mogadishu. The weapons were kept in a bunker, authorities added.

Dufaan, a military wing within the NISA team executed the operation, the best ever to be carried out in recent weeks. During the mission, three Al-Shabaab militants were arrested and will soon be arraigned in court to respond to various issues.

Some of the weapons seized during the operation include mortar shells and drums which Al-Shabaab commonly uses to make mortar bombs. The team targets civilians, security forces, and government officials with the bombs.

NISA officials said the operation was successful due to the cooperation extended by the community in flushing out the Al-Shabaab militants. The team vowed to lock Al-Shabaab out of the country in the coming months.

“The NISA forces are always grateful to the Somali community for their continued cooperation with the National Intelligence Service,” said a statement from NISA.

For the past several months, security forces have in the past unearthed Al-Shabaab bunkers in various parts of the city with recent incidents in Elasha Biya on the southerly outskirts of Mogadishu. The capital has been one of the Al-Shabaab targets in recent weeks.

Last week, a bomb blast in Mogadishu killed eight people and wounded over 20 as Al-Shabaab claimed responsibility. The attack was condemned by several international actors in Somalia including the United Nations.

GAROWE ONLINE