The Stabilization troops in Beledweyne town shot and killed a young girl after an explosion occurred in the residence of an officer of the Somali National Army (SNA), specifically the 5th Brigade and the 27th Division stationed in Buundoweyne village in Beledweyne. Reports indicate that the explosion was caused by a hand grenade that was thrown into the residence of the officer, Ibrahim Mohamed Ma’alin Hussein, also known as Ibrahim Defow. The reports also state that the officer’s wife and young child were injured in the attack, which has been linked to the militant group Al-Shabab. According to reliable sources, the stabilization troops, who are working in collaboration with local defense forces known as Ma’awisley, immediately launched an operation in response to the explosion and killed the young girl. It is not yet clear if the girl was involved in the attack, but reports suggest that she was killed in retaliation. It has been reported that the father of the deceased young girl was a member of Al-Shabab and was accused by the troops of coordinating explosion attacks on the outskirts of the town. These attacks have been occurring frequently in Buundoweyne village in recent times. On January 6, Al-Shabab attached a landmine to the front gate of Ibrahim Defow’s residence, although he was not present at the time. Another explosion had previously targeted his residence. On January 7, Officer Ibrahim Defow spoke to the media outside his residence and issued a warning to Al-Shabab, urging them to refrain from attacking and harming his family. He also vowed to retaliate if they continued to target his family, stating, “We may engage in war and killings between us, but if they harm my family, it is an idiotic war. I vow to behead their children and warn that Al-Shabab’s wives and children will be targeted in retaliation.” The troops involved in this incident include the Somali National Army (SNA), police, secret services, and local defense forces known as Ma’awisley. They are actively operating in Buundoweyne village in Beledweyne, tasked with ensuring the security of the Hiiraan provincial capital. Officers of the security agencies in Beledweyne have not yet commented on the incident that took place last night. This appears to be a retaliatory action by the troops against Al-Shabab families living in Beledweyne.
