Somalia's Intelligence arrests Al-Shabaab sympathizer

MOGADISHU, Somalia - The National Intelligence Security Agency [NISA], Somalia's intelligence agency, has yet again arrested another suspected Al-Shabaab sympathizer, who is believed to have been living and giving logistical support to the militant from neighboring Kenya.

Sufiyan Sheikh Ahmed, a Nairobi-based Somali national, is accused by the sleuths of spreading alleged extremist views that are detrimental to the peace and stability of the state. His arrest is a major "breakthrough" in the fight against Al-Shabaab militants, the agency said in a statement.

NISA, whose reforms have been impressive in the past few months, vowed to target any individual who may have overt or covert collaboration with terrorist organizations. Some reports say Ahmed was handed over by Kenya to Somalia.

The fact that he has been living in Nairobi, there are high chance that he was extradited by the security teams in the East African nation to face charges in Somalia. Kenya has been working closely with Somalia in the fight against Al-Shabaab militants, who still dominate central and southern regions.

Last week, NISA also reported the arrest of Sakariye Kamaal Aba-Sheekh, an alleged arms smuggler who went missing in Kenya days before Somalia confirmed he was apprehended. There are reports that he was also extradited to Somalia to face terrorism-related charges, experts say.

Sakariye Kamaal Aba-Sheekh was out on bail in Kenya. He recently went missing there according to Kenya media, suggesting that, perhaps he may have been transferred by Kenya to Somali authorities. The allegations against him while in Kenya are that he was involved in procuring weapons for al-Shabaab from China.

Both countries have recently agreed to mobilize resources including security teams in fighting Al-Shabaab militants, a group which has been fighting to topple the fragile UN-backed federal government of Somalia. Security teams working under the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia [ATMIS] have been assisting Somalia in the process.

The East African nation stopped plans to reopen the border with Somalia following a spate of attacks in Northeastern Kenya and Lamu areas, leading to the decision by the Interior and National Administration team. Somalia has been fighting Al-Shabaab for the last 16 years, and in recent times, it announced "total war" against the group.

GAROWE ONLINE