BELED-WEYN ( Halbeeg News) – Security forces have arrested elders in Hiraan region over alleged meeting with al-Shabaab.
In a statement, Somali national army officials confirmed the arrest of a number of elders saying they be brought before the justice.
“Some of the elders were arrested while some are at large, they will be prosecuted over having a meeting with terror group which against the Constitution because they supported group,” Mohamed Abdikadir, a military official at SNA court in Hiraan region.
Abdikadir did not disclose the number of the elders arrested in connection with the alleged meeting.
The official vowed that SNA and agencies to step up operations to hunt down al-Shabaab and its sympathizers in the region.
“It is possible to accept that the traditional who take part the selection of the parliament to hold a meeting with al-Shabaab and pledged support for terror groups,” he stated.
Last July, al-Shabaab had ordered all the elders and delegates that choose the members of Somalia’s federal legislative to register themselves with the group within 45 days.
According to the group’s radio, over 150 elders had complied with the order issued and accepted to stop working with the government.
The elders are reportedly from Hirshabelle, Galmudug, Jubaland and Southwest states.
Federal Somali government and state officials have repeatedly warned the hundreds of elders and delegates to disregard the orders by al-Shabaab.
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