Somali troops have carried out a large-scale manhunt at villages near the central town of Bulo-Burde, arresting at least five alleged Al shabaab suspects, an official said.

Abdulaziz Durow, the district commissioner of Bulo-Burde said the operation was intended to beef up security of the nearby areas to prevent Al shabaab from attacking their fixed bases in the central town.

 

"Somali Notional Army soldiers detained five people on suspicion of being Al shabaab sympathizers. The suspects are held at the city’s police station for questions,” said Durow.

 

For the past weeks, Somali forces and their allied AMISOM troops have been conducting a search and cordon operations in areas located in Hiiraan region, in an attempt to dislodge Al shabaab fighters.