Somali Intelligence Agency Arrests Suicide Facilitator

Somalia's National Intelligence and Security Agency has announced the arrest of Abdinasir Mohamed Hassan, accused of facilitating suicide attacks carried out by Al-Shabaab.

A statement issued by the agency indicated that Abdel Nasser played a pivotal role in ensuring the safe passage of vehicles used in suicide bombings, and evading detection at security checkpoints.

The statement added that the man is accused of facilitating nine suicide attacks, including the deadly attack on the SYL Hotel in Mogadishu on March 14, 2024, which killed several people and injured dozens, underscoring the ongoing threat posed by the network of Al-Shabaab operatives.

“The arrest of Abdul Nasser Mohammed Hassan represents a significant achievement in our ongoing efforts to dismantle the Al-Shabaab operational network,” the intelligence agency said in a statement.

The Somali government has intensified its campaign against al-Shabaab in recent months, targeting financiers, recruiters and logisticians who support the group.

The authorities urged citizens to cooperate with security forces by providing information that could help identify and arrest other individuals involved in terrorism-related activities.

The arrest is expected to lead to further intelligence breakthroughs, as authorities work to uncover the full extent of Nasser's network and connections within Al-Shabaab.