Shabaab claims detaining “enemy spies”

Somalia’s militant group al-Shahaab has said its militias are holding ten “enemy spies” alleged to have been involved in providing intelligence about its military bases to Western nations.Abu Abdalla, the group’s appointed administrator for Lower Shaballe Region which is under their control said on Wednesday that those detained were Somalis and Kenyans working for hostile foreign governments against the group.

“They were here for two reasons, the first is to know our bases and the second to profit from selling wildlife to Kenya�, he was quoted by a pro-Shabaab website.

Abdalla said the suspects were arrested on Tuesday as they attempted to escape into neighbouring Kenya and will be tried and punished if found guilty of any spying offense.

This is the first time al-Shabaab has announced detaining suspects accused of espionage.

The group which still controls large swathes of territory in south and central Somalia despite spectacular success by African Union peacekeepers against its strongholds, the militants have retained the capacity to launch sporadic attacks on Mogadishu and other parts of the country.
Signature : APA
Copyright : © APA