MOGADISHU (Halbeeg News) – At least 14 military officials were arrested in connection with the Jalle Siyad Academy bombing in Mogadishu, the Defense Ministry confirmed Saturday.
Somali Deputy Defence Minister Abdifatah Kasim told the Parliament that among those arrested include the commander of the academy.
Last Monday, at least 25 soldiers were killed, and 72 others were injured in the suicide attack. Al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for the bombing.
According to witnesses, the bomber detonated a suicide vest as the soldiers lined up after breakfast. The soldiers had been recently deployed to Mogadishu for additional training and re-equipping.
The development comes amid the Somali government’s planning to launch a second phase of operations against al-Shabaab fighters in southern Somalia.
Ethiopia, Kenya and Djibouti are expected to send in about 20,000 troops to bolster Somali forces and clan militia in the second phase of the operation.
Government forces with the help of local militias reclaimed part of the central area of the country from al-Shabab control last summer in the first phase of the offensive.
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