MOGADISHU, Somalia – Somali police launched an operation to confirm the overall security in the capital of Mogadishu to thwart terror plots by al Qaeda linked Al Shabaab.
The crackdown was conducted last night in Wadajir district of Mogadishu as dozens of people were rounded up in connection with al-Shabaab.
Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed, a witness says the operation saw the arrest of dozens, mostly youth on suspicion of Al Shabaab.
Mohamed said the most of the detainees were released, while some others were taken into police station for further interrogations.
Somali police says an investigation is underway, saying whoever found involving insecurity acts will be put on trial.
The police have been continuing security swoop since it was declared by Mayor of Mogadishu, in a bid to prevent deadly attacks by al Qaeda linked Al Shabaab.
Mogadishu capital has seen deadly terror attacks that left dozens dead, with some of those attacks were claimed by al Shabaab.
Al-Shabab, an al-Qaeda-linked group, has been fighting for more than ten years in Somalia.
The group wants to overthrow the weak UN-backed government in Somalia and impose its own strict interpretation of Islamic law.
It has lost control of many towns and cities to a 22,000-strong African Union force supporting the government.
But the group still has a strong presence in many rural areas.
