Friday May 26, 2023
Mogadishu (HOL) - Somalia's National Intelligence Agency (NISA) carried out a security sweep in the Hodan district of Mogadishu, confiscating unauthorized military uniforms, explosive materials, and ammunition on Thursday.
An official from the security forces disclosed the contraband weapons and military gear were found in a residential dwelling in the Tarabuun neighbourhood. Two individuals have since been apprehended in connection with the operation.
While the Ministry of Security has yet to comment publicly on the seizure, it has highlighted that the sweep was part of a broader security campaign that has escalated over the past few weeks.
In a similar incident just a week prior, Somalia's State Minister of Defense, Mohamed Ali Haga, announced that NISA had intercepted two unlawful consignments of military hardware and explosives meant for the al-Shabab militants. The contraband was seized at Mogadishu's port and airport.
A United Nations Security Council arms embargo has existed since 1992 due to the civil war and persistent factional conflict in Somalia. Nevertheless, the Security Council opted to ease the ban on arms sales to Somalia for a year in a unanimous vote in 2013.