Seven arrested in security swoop in Baledweyne

Somali police on Monday arrested seven Al-Shabaab suspects in a security swoop in Baledweyne town in Somalia’s central region, Hiraan.

Baledweyne district Police Commander Ali Dhuh Abdi told reporters that the operation was conducted after the forces were tipped off  by the public.

“Police forces carried out operation against Al-Shabaab in Baledweyne town this morning, they arrested seven people suspected to be Al-Shabaab members. We will further investigate them and release the innocent,” Abdi said.

The operation was aimed at ensuring peace and security in the district by flushing out the Al-Shabaab elements, he said, adding that the operation will continue to eliminate remnants of the Al-Shabaab group.

Witnesses said that the monday’s dawn operation carried out at suburbs in Baledweyne town by the troops searched houses suspected to be hiding Al-Shabaab sympathizers.