MOGADISHU, July 1 (Xinhua) -- Somali police on Friday arrested 13 Al-Shabaab suspects in a security swoop in Bardhere town in Gedo region southwest Somalia.
Bardhere district Police Commander Mohamed Ahmed Hassan told reporters that the operation was conducted following deadly terrorist attacks there in the past days.
"Police forces carried out operation against Al-Shabaab militants in Bardhere town this morning, they arrested over 13 people suspected to be fighters of the militant group of Al-Shabaab. We will further investigate them and release the innocent," Ahmed said.
The police commander added that the operation came after deadly terrorist bomb attacks occurred in the town early on this week.
Al-Shabaab militants often carry out roadside bomb attacks in the strategic town of Bardhere in Gedo region.
Somali National Army backed by the African Union peacekeeping troops have been fighting the militants and have liberated several regions in the Horn of Africa nation.
