​Somalia: Security sweep detains over dozens in Mogadishu

MOGADISHU, Somalia - In response to an increase of assassinations, Somali security forces have carried out an overnight security operations in Mogadishu, whereby close to dozens of people linked with Al Shabaab were arrested, Garowe Online reports. 

Local officials said security forces raided the homes of suspects and arrested 20 people, mostly young men after two Al shabaab gunmen shot dead a local elder in Wadajir district.

The suspects who are currently held at Wadajir district police station will be brought before a court immediately when probes concludes, according to security officials in Mogadishu, who spoke to the local media in the capital on Thursday. 

The security officers of Wadajir district said they had received intelligence information that Al shabaab has sent assassins in the area, to carry out killings and ambushes.

On Wednesday afternoon, a Somali security forces in Wadajir district detained two killers believed to be Al shabaab members who shot dead a local elder "Hilowle Hefow."

Mogadishu has seen an increase of attacks, including targeted assassinations over the past couple of months, as the militant group Al shabaab intensifying raids to disrupt the upcoming elections.

GAROWEONLINE