(19-07-23) MOGADISHU – Yusuf Hassan Ibrahim, aged 42, has been sentenced to 10 years in military prison after being linked with the notorious Al-Shabaab militia on Wednesday. Arrested earlier this year, Mr Ibrahim was allegedly a member of the group’s ‘planned killings’ department, with his operations centred around local water wells, which served as an unconventional base for the militants.
Using his extensive knowledge of the Lower Shabelle region, Mr Ibrahim reportedly orchestrated attacks against the African Union’s ATMIS troops, including a particular assault that targeted eleven armoured vehicles. The terrorists were supposedly paid $130 for this attack, highlighting the lucrative nature of such operations for the group.
The case gained attention after Mr Ibrahim, armed with a pistol hidden in a plastic comb filled with millet – attacked a patrolling soldier but ultimately surrendered. This incident led to his arrest and subsequent exposure of his connections with Al-Shabaab.
Following a detailed investigation, the Military Court tried and sentenced Mr Ibrahim to a decade-long term in prison. The news was confirmed by Mohamed Abdi Mu’min of the Court of First Instance of the Armed Forces, who also clarified that the convicted prisoner retains the right to appeal against his sentence.
