The Attorney General of the Las Anod regional authority, Abdilahi Hersi Dheere, on Monday accused Al-Shabaab militants of being behind the assassination of Faarah Aidid Jama, an Ethiopian Consular Officer in Garowe.
The body of the late Faarah was discovered on the outskirts of Las Anod, where he had been staying for the past several days. Prior to his death, he had met with Somalia’s Police Commissioner General, Asad Diano.
Attorney General Abdilahi Hersi Dheere stated that Al-Shabaab militants targeted Faarah Aidid due to his alleged involvement with Ethiopian intelligence. He further revealed that Faarah had previously survived an Al-Shabaab attack, sustaining injuries in the process.
The Attorney General also claimed that Faarah Aidid had once been a member of Al-Shabaab before defecting, which made him a personal target for the group. He dismissed widely circulated social media reports suggesting that Faarah was killed in Garowe and his body later moved to Las Anod.
“The information we have confirms that the Ethiopian Consular Officer was killed in Las Anod, and his body was taken to the outskirts of the regional capital. Two of his mobile phones were stolen,” Dheere said.
He added, “I believe Mr. Faarah was closely monitored. Once he arrived in Las Anod, he was not cautious enough, making him an easy target. It is well-known that Al-Shabaab militants have infiltrated Las Anod.”
This marks the first time Al-Shabaab has been accused of carrying out an assassination in Las Anod.