(29-01-24) HARGEISA (Halqabsi News) — Somaliland’s intelligence agency, backed by the national military, has detained seven members of the Al-Shabaab militant group, as stated in a brief agency press release on Sunday. The apprehended individuals, including two women, were reportedly linked to Al-Shabaab leaders and had travelled from the Jilib district in the Middle Jubba region of southern Somalia. This detail sheds light on the cross-border nature of the terrorist threat faced by Somaliland.
The two women, identified as wives of Al-Shabaab, underline the broader social dynamics at play within the militant group. Their arrest raises questions about the role and vulnerability of women within these extremist networks. The apprehended individuals are currently under further investigation by Somaliland’s security agencies.
This operation comes against the backdrop of heightened tensions following Al-Shabaab’s warning regarding the recent maritime agreement between Somaliland President Muse Bihi and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. Somaliland has a history of intercepting Al-Shabaab members attempting to infiltrate its territory. However, the scale and significance of this latest operation, given the current political and security context, mark a notable escalation in the region’s counter-terrorism efforts.
Halqabsi News
