(17-03-24) MOGADISHU (Halqabsi News) — The alarming breach at the SYL Hotel in Mogadishu, following an attack by Al-Shabaab militants on Thursday evening, has cast a harsh spotlight on potential security failings amid its proximity to the presidential palace. The shocking penetration through well-guarded checkpoints has sparked a public outcry and precipitated an extensive investigation by the nation’s security apparatus.
In the wake of this tragedy, former Hirshabelle President, Ali Abdullahi Osoble, delivered a scathing critique, pinpointing internal security lapses as a primary enabler for the attack. Osoble’s assertions raise the possibility that commands issued remotely by officers to on-ground soldiers could inadvertently aid Al-Shabaab’s terror tactics.
Osoble firmly places responsibility on the military command structure, asserting, “The responsibility for the explosion lies squarely with the officers commanding the soldiers tasked with our protection.” This statement underscores a perceived erosion in command integrity and adherence to established protocols, laying bare the vulnerabilities within Somalia’s security framework.
Highlighting a systemic problem, Osoble decried the habitual security oversights, remarking, “The regularity with which individuals are allowed passage as if herded as animals point to a grave lack of accountability and a failure to enforce stringent security measures.” His words paint a picture of a compromised security regimen, where laxities have become the norm rather than the exception.
In a stern cautionary message directed at the leaders of Somalia’s security forces and the president, Osoble advised, “Heed our warnings or brace for the forewarned consequences.” He underscored the non-negotiable nature of a security officer’s autonomy during their watch, critiquing the dangerous precedent set when external instructions undermine frontline defences.
The aftermath of the SYL Hotel assault has reignited a fervent debate over the robustness of Somalia’s security mechanisms and the urgent call for sweeping reforms. Osoble’s candid discourse serves as a rallying cry for a comprehensive overhaul of prevailing security protocols to thwart future terrorist endeavours and safeguard Somali citizens.
In response to the glaring security breach, Somali Police Commissioner Gen. Sulub Ahmed on Saturday enacted immediate changes within the police force, dismissing several district police commissioners in Mogadishu and appointing new figures in a decisive move to tighten security measures and restore public trust in the wake of Al-Shabaab’s latest act of terror.
Halqabsi News
