Somali minister claims state officials sharing intelligence with Al-Shabaab
This follows the death of Abukar Abdulle Raage Gar-Maqaate, a senior military officer who was recently killed near Boos-Hareeri in the Middle Shabelle region.
Somalia's Deputy Minister of Defence Omar Ali Abdi has alleged that some high-ranking government officials have been sharing sensitive military intelligence with Al-Shabaab militants.
This follows the death of Abukar Abdulle Raage Gar-Maqaate, a senior military officer who was recently killed near Boos-Hareeri in the Middle Shabelle region, along with his accompanying troops.
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"Some former officials are dispensing classified military information to Al-Shabaab, including secrets related to ongoing operations," stated Omar.
He further added that the state was investigating the suspected officials for action, including stripping them of ranks and removal from the military register.
Omar's allegations come barely three days after an Al-Shabaab attack near Boos-Hareeri claimed the life of Major Gar-Maqaate and several of his troops.
In the Friday attack the militants not only ambushed the convoy but also seized their vehicles and weapons, marking a double-loss for the government.
However, the state's response was swift, with Somali Defence Minister Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur confirming that the Ethiopian Navy, with whom the government is in partnership, had launched an air offensive on the same day targeting Al-Shabaab hideouts in Shabelle.
"This operation was conducted under the direct supervision of the Somali government with precision missiles targeting key locations under Al-Shabaab occupation. This is part of our unwavering commitment to destroy this terror group's network and establish peace," said Abdulkadir.
While expressing his condolences for the deceased troops, the president of the Hirshabelle region, Ali Gudlawe, also pledged to continue with the fight that was launched by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud in 2022.
Al-Shabaab, an extremist group affiliated with Al-Qaeda, has been waging an insurgency in Somalia for over a decade with their most brutal attack on record claiming the lives of 170 soldiers at the Cowswayne Military Base in 2023.
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