Somali forces have implemented a new security plan in Mogadishu with support from the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) to eliminate al-Shabaab remnants hiding in the city.

“Special police and security units charged with preventing terrorist attacks and operations are implementing this security plan to cleanse Mogadishu of al-Shabaab sleeper cells,” said General Abdullahi Hassan Barise, head of criminal investigations.

In a security sweep under the new plan, police on October 10th identified and detained hundreds of suspected al-Shabaab members. “We detained 360 people during these recent security operations, but after the police and security forces investigated these suspects, we were able to confirm that 62 of them are al-Shabaab members wanted by the security forces while the others who proved to be innocent were released,” Barise said.

“The police also found a large amount of weapons, including explosives, hand grenades, explosive devices and automatic weapons hidden in homes in the Hodan district in Mogadishu through information provided by local residents,” he said.

Under the new plan, only military and police forces will be allowed to possess and carry weapons in the city, with a few exceptions of private security guards who have been granted formal approval by the Somali government.

Barise urged the public to co-operate with the security forces and provide information to help them strengthen the security of Mogadishu. “We call on residents to help the security forces crush the terrorist cells that are adversely affecting the security situation,” he said.

Colonel Ali Abdirahman, one of the Somali National Security Force officers in charge of operations in the Hodan district, said some of the 62 detainees were part of a terrorist cell that would hide in residential areas during the day and carry out terrorist acts during the night.

“We will search neighbourhoods, house by house, looking for unlicensed weapons or explosives, especially in areas in which security forces suspect al-Shabaab cells are hiding,” he told Sabahi. “These operations will continue until al-Shabaab cells inside the city are destroyed.”

Night security patrols

Police Captain Mohamed Ibrahim said the new security plan includes night security patrols.

“Special police units are being deployed at major intersections and patrols are on duty 24 hours a day,” he told Sabahi, adding that police units from the African Union Mission in Somalia are taking part in the security operations.

“Joint police forces are carrying out security patrols and random raids against houses where suspected al-Shabaab cells and those who are against peace are hiding,” he said.

Ibrahim said although al-Shabaab has been militarily defeated, remnants of the group and its sympathisers are still hiding amongst residents and local communities in areas under government control.

“The security forces are on high alert to prevent attempts by al-Shabaab sleeper cells from regrouping and continuing their destructive operations in Mogadishu,” he said. “We will continue with these operations until all remnants of those that are against peace are crushed in Mogadishu and the nearby areas. We will not stop until the capital and other cities are safe and free from members of al-Shabaab.”

House numbering and registration of all residents

Mohamed Yusuf, spokesman for the mayor of Mogadishu, said the new security plan also includes a census of Mogadishu’s neighbourhoods and the registration of city residents.

“House numbering is now being conducted in five districts: Hamar Weyne, Hamar Jajab, Wabari, Shangani and Bondheere,” he told Sabahi, adding that numbering every street in Mogadishu will help to ensure and preserve the safety and stability of the capital.

Yusuf also said homeowners should contact relevant security forces before renting homes to suspicious individuals in order to prevent al-Shabaab remnants from hiding in residential properties.

Police ban cars with tinted windows

Traffic police have also issued orders banning cars with tinted windows.

“This law was issued so that the security forces could identify passengers inside cars,” Omar Hassan, a traffic police officer, told Sabahi, adding that the ban does not include government officials and members of parliament.

“In the event a driver is caught driving a vehicle with tinted windows, we will order them to remove the black shading from their car windows,” he said. “If they do not comply or try to apply adhesive black coating to their car, they will be penalised.”

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Sabahi Online

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