(30-04-23) MOGADISHU – As the war against the Al-Shabaab extremist group continues to escalate, there has been a growing sense of fear and panic in areas where the group maintains a strong presence. Somali government media has recently acquired information on leaders who have removed their children from these areas, taking them to safer locations within the country.
The following are the names of some of the Al-Shabaab leaders who have moved their children to safety:
- Ahmed Diriye, the leader of Al-Shabaab, whose children did not reside in areas controlled by the group.
- Hassan Afgoye, hailing from the Afmadow district, also escaped with his children from the Kuunyo Barrow area, relocating to regions in the South West.
- Abu-Muslim of the Bur-Hakaba district in the Bay region has been confirmed to have fled with his children, who had previously lived in the Jilib district in the Middle Juba region and Kunya-barrow area in the Lower Shabelle region. They have sought refuge in safe cities within the Southwest.
- Leaders Mohamed Mire and Buli from Eyl district in the Bari region and Bosaso district have also been confirmed to have fled with their children to secure cities within the Jubaland and Puntland states, where Al-Shabaab’s influence is minimal.
The conflict against Al-Shabaab has now entered its second phase, with National Forces and the Somali people working together to combat the extremist group.
