Somalia: Government officials detail rescue of 35 boys recruited by Al-Shabaab Islamists
The Somali government confirmed Wednesday its security forces rescued 35 male children who had been taken as recruits by the Islamist militant group, Al-Shabaab.
The government’s ministry of information confirmed that state officials are caring for the rescued children, receiving full protection and rights after being rescued from the terrorists group.
“The government will provide all basic services to these children, as the necessity in rehabilitating these children is indeed critical to their long-term physiological and mental well-being,” the ministry said in a statement.
Credible sources pointed out the Al-Shabaab indoctrination camp in southern Somalia where the kidnapped boy were being brainwashed and recruited for the Islamic extremist group.
“As soon as the information was verified Somali National Security Forces began their operation, which was very successful,” the ministry said.
The militants claimed during the rescue operation that government forces backed by drones stormed the school in Middle Shabelle region, killing four children and a teacher.
There has been no comment on the government on the claim.
The government expressed its commitment to carrying out military operations in order to bring peace and safety in the country and vowed never to accept children to be used as militias.
“Terrorists group, Al-Shabaab has no regard to the welfare of children and they demonstrated their cruelty to children. Al-Shabaab indoctrinates children and they force them to terrorist’s activities,” the ministry said.
The rescue operation came after international human rights group said the militants were forcibly recruiting hundreds of children in recent months.
The Human Rights Watch (HRW) said in a report launched on Jan. 15 that the recruitment started in mid-2017 and has so far gathered thousands of children for indoctrination after terrorizing elders, teachers in Islamic religious schools, and communities in rural areas.
Somalia map – CIA source
