A controversial religious scholar from the semi-autonomous Somaliland has been found in one of Al-Shabaab stronghold, after missing for a number of days.
Security authorities from Somaliland confirmed that the cleric together with his entire family had fled to southern Somalia, a region hugely controlled by the Al-Qaeda affiliated Al-Shabaab. He may have joined the Islamist militants in Jilib, Middle Juba region of Somalia.
The cleric identified as Sheikh Adan Sunne, was recently released from jail on bail and has been on radar of the security forces in Somaliland on believes of having links with Al-Shabaab. Authorities further revealed that he is now in Jilib which serves as de facto headquarters of the Al-Qaeda associated terror group.
The controversial scholar had gone missing and efforts to locate him have been unsuccessful, prompting security authorities in Somaliland to launch a man haunt which ended up locating him in Jilib, the Al-Shabaab stronghold.
Though Al-Shabaab has not confirmed to be working with him in Jilib, the militant group is known to work alongside many controversial, radical Sheikhs, pushing their extremist ideologies and in an effort to justify their heinous killings, besides toppling the weak UN-backed Federal government.
Al-Shabaab maintains a strong presence in many parts of central and southern Somalia. Jilib, has remain a high-risk locality for security forces. However, US Africa Command (AFRICOM) has many times conducted precision airstrikes killing a number of key Al-Shabaab militants have been killed in the town.
