Somali government forces have captured a top commander of the Islamist militant group Al-Shabaab in the Central part of the country, a military official has said.
Ali Yusuf Ganey, a commander of the al-Qaeda-linked militant group, was captured in an area close to the Central town of El-bur, which was once a major stronghold for the extremists, Somali military commander Colonel Mohamed Kahiye told journalists.
‘’ We captured him after a joint operation launched by AMISOM and government forces. He has committed atrocities against the innocent civilians in this region and will face justice,’’ said the military commander.
Ganey is now expected to be taken to capital Mogadishu for interrogation, added the military official.
Since the outbreak of civil war in 1991, the troubled country in the Horn in Africa has remained in the grip of on-again, off-again violence.
Last year, the Federal government of Somalia appeared to inch closer to stability after its forces and African Union forces drove Al-Shabaab from most of its strongholds.
The militant group, however, has continued to stage attacks against government forces and African peacekeepers and also in Mogadishu.
Horseed Media
Somalia: Al Shabaab senior commander captured
Published: October 12, 2015
