Somali government security forces destroy 17 al-Shabaab cells in Mogadishu

The Somali security forces have destroyed 17 Al-Shabaab cells and arrested nearly 40 wanted elements of the terror group in a security sweep in the capital Mogadishu, officials said Tuesday. Speaking to reporters following a cabinet meeting in Mogadishu to discuss the deteriorating security situation in the capital, the Abdelkarim Hussein Guled, minister for the interior and national security, said that the cells were involved in recent insecurity and violence against the Somali people. He added the militant cells' members ranged between 3 to 11 and totaled 39 individuals who were wanted by the country national security agencies. Security has worsened in the capital Mogadishu in recent weeks particularly during the holy month of Ramadan which ended last week. The Al Qaida-linked extremist group escalated its attacks during Ramadan and launched several attacks against the Somali government and African union peacekeeping troops in Somalia. The Al-Shabaab fighters also attacked Turkish center in Mogadishu, killing security guard and local student last month. Despite the upsurge in violence in recent weeks, the Somali capital has been relative stable following the ouster of Al- Shabaab from major towns and cities in the south including Mogadishu. Somali government officials said the security operations to stamp out the terror cells operating in the capital will continue, and called on local residents to assist the security forces.