Somali forces arrest 5 Al-Shabab suspects near Mogadishu

[Deeq A.]

MOGADISHU, Somalia (Caasimada Online)—Somali army forces have arrested five suspected Al-Shabab fighters after brief exchange of gunfire near Mogadishu.

The suspects were captured on their way to carry out an attack at army checkpoint in Alamada area near Somali capital, a military officer, Mohamed Hussein said.

Hussein says the forces had clashed with armed Al-Shabab fighters, leaving a militant injured and arrested five others during the brief exchange of gunfire.

“We have captured 5 Al-Shabab fighters at Alamada area as they were planning to attack on army checkpoint. Our forces have foiled the orchestrated attack”, he said.

He said that the detainees had been taken into Mogadishu for further interrogations.

There was no immediate comment from Al Shabaab over the claims.

Al-Shabab has been waging an insurgency in Somalia for more than 10 years.

A 22,000-strong African Union force is in the country to help the government fight the al-Qaeda-linked Al-Shabab militants.

Caasimada Online
|Mogadishu News Desk
Caasimada@live.com