Somali Security Forces Intercept Attempted Recruitment of 25 Individuals by Al-Shabaab

Intelligence Agency Intercepts Minors from Joining Militant Group

Mogadishu – The National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) have intercepted a mini-bus transporting 25 individuals, including minors, who were en route to join the notorious Al-Shabaab militant group near the Afgoye district on Tuesday. 

They were nabbed following timely and accurate intelligence, according to NISA thwarting the recruitment efforts of the group and safeguarding the lives and futures of the individuals, particularly the minors involved.

Secuirity forces responsible for the operation apprehended the driver of the mini bus and two suspected accomplices who were actively facilitating the recruitment process. 

Al-Shabaab, an armed insurgent group in Somalia still controls various southern and central parts of the country including areas such as, Lower Juba, Middle Juba, Bay, Bakool, and regions of Hiraan. 

Since its inception in 2006, al-Shabaab has capitalized on the feebleness of Somalia’s central government, despite the government’s strengthening in recent years, to seize control of large swaths of ungoverned territory. 

The militant group reached its peak in 2011 when it controlled parts of the capital city of Mogadishu and the vital port of Kismayo. 

Kenyan troops, operating as part of AMISOM, conducted an operation that that year to flush the insurgents from the port city of Kismayu and successfully pushed them out of most of its strongholds.