Somalia: Fired military officers join al-Shabab militants

Muqdisho: Nearly fifty military personnel including high ranked officers have opted to join al-Shabab, after Somalia’s  government dismissed them from their posts, a fired Lieutenant Colonel told Kulmiye, local radio in Mogadishu.

Somali government has dismissed more than one hundred officers earlier this month, after they were accused of neglecting their national duties.

Lt. Col. Gelle Farah, who is among the fired officers, said that he understands fifty of the dismissed officers with their arms have joined the al-Qaeda affiliated group, al-Shabab, instead of idling.
He pointed out that some of the remaining officers are in Mogadishu, since they cannot go back to their hometowns, which are still under al-Shabab, if they do not join them.

Somali government did not comment on the claim of the fired Lt. Col, but Somali Current sources say that the government is keep an eye on them.

Source:  Somalicurrent