Somali government detains soldiers who fled frontlines against Al-Shabaab

The Federal Government of Somalia has detained several soldiers who reportedly fled the frontlines in the ongoing fight against Al-Shabaab, particularly in the Middle Shabelle region, according to the commander of Somalia’s correctional forces.

Commander of Somalia’s correctional forces, Mahad Abdirahman Aden, popularly known as “Shub,” confirmed that some members of the forces who had been deployed to the frontlines had retreated and returned to Mogadishu. He condemned the act as dishonourable and said the arrested soldiers were being held at Mogadishu Central Prison, pending legal action.

“Not all men are the same. The battlefield separates the brave from the cowards. Those cowards who fled the front, we pursued them, issued arrest warrants, and placed them in prison,” General Shub stated.

He added that some soldiers remain at large, but efforts are ongoing to locate and detain them.

The correctional forces chief praised those who continue to serve on the frontlines, commending their commitment to ongoing operations across the country.

Just days earlier, members of the correctional forces were deployed from Mogadishu to reinforce military and local forces battling Al-Shabaab in the central regions. Some observers criticised their deployment at the time, noting that correctional officers are not typically trained for combat operations.

Police forces have also joined the frontlines to support operations in Middle and Lower Shabelle, where Al-Shabaab has intensified its activities over the past month.

Government troops and allied local fighters are currently engaged in clashes with Al-Shabaab in several locations. On Wednesday, government forces took control of Aboorey village in the Hiran region following days of back-and-forth fighting.