Somalia, Southwest Administration issue warnings over Laftagareen-Linked Forces

Somalia’s Federal Government and the Southwest State administration have issued separate warnings against sharing information about forces loyal to former Southwest State leader Abdiaziz Laftagareen.

Somalia’s Ministry of Information issued a statement warning people against spreading information about troops loyal to Laftagareen, particularly content that could facilitate attacks or encourage recruitment into armed groups.

The Federal Government said it would not allow social media platforms or media outlets to be used to organise attacks or promote recruitment into armed groups.

The ministry warned that legal action would be taken against individuals, social media administrators and media organisations deliberately involved in publishing, preparing or facilitating such criminal activities.

Southwest State administration has also issued a separate statement warning media outlets and individuals in the region against publishing information about forces loyal to Laftagareen and Al-Shabaab militants.

The decisions come amid heightened tensions in Southwest State, where forces loyal to former South West President Abdiaziz Laftagareen have reportedly been attacking towns in the regional administration’s territory in recent days.

The warnings is said to underscore growing security concerns as federal and regional authorities seek to prevent the spread of information that could facilitate attacks and further destabilise the region.

Mustaqbal