Sunday July 21, 2024
Workers finalize the construction of a monument at Mogadishu's Central Prison to honor the soldiers who lost their lives during the recent attack by al-Shabaab militants. CREDIT / SONNA
Mogadishu (HOL) — A monument was erected on Sunday inside Mogadishu's Central Prison to honour the soldiers who died in the recent attack on the facility. The memorial is dedicated to four soldiers: chief key holder Hassan Hussein Rage and guards Abdullahi Ali Yusuf, Abdifatah Abdullahi, and Omar Milikhsan.
The attack on July 13 involved heavy gunfire and an explosion inside the prison. Five inmates, identified as al-Shabaab fighters previously sentenced to death, were killed in the violence. The incident left three soldiers and five inmates dead, while 18 inmates and three soldiers were wounded. No prisoners escaped.
A ceremony inside the prison, attended by Correctional Force officers and Commander General Mahad Abdirahman Adan, commemorated the bravery of the soldiers who helped end the attack. Commander Adan praised the officers and urged them to remain vigilant to prevent future incidents. He also announced that Hassan Hussein Rage, who refused to hand over the keys to the militants and threw them outside to prevent their escape, would be honoured with a posthumous promotion and a monument within the prison grounds.
The situation highlighted significant security issues at the Central Prison, which was designed to hold 800 inmates but currently houses twice that number. Earlier this year, Col. Hassan A Nor 'Shuute' had warned about the overcrowding and requested the construction of a new prison for high-security inmates.
In the aftermath, Somalia's Attorney General, Dr. Sulayman Mohamed Mohamoud, ordered an investigation into how the inmates obtained weapons and ammunition. This inquiry aims to hold accountable any individuals involved or negligent in their duties. The Chief of the Somali Correctional Forces, Gen. Mahad Abdirahman Adan, suspended the Central Prison Chief, Brigadier General Dahir Abdulle Rageh, and appointed an eight-member committee to investigate the incident. General Mohamed Hussein Ahmed was named the acting prison chief during the investigation.
Al-Shabaab has a history of targeting prisons and other government facilities to free members and increase their numbers. The ongoing conflict with al-Shabaab continues to pose significant security challenges for the Somali government. However, recent military operations in regions like Hiiraan and Mudug have demonstrated progress in weakening the militant group's capabilities.
This monument and the posthumous honours for the fallen soldiers serve as a reminder of the sacrifices made in the face of such threats and the ongoing efforts to maintain security and order within the country's correctional facilities.