Ethiopia ‘arrests’ al shabaab terror suspect

Addis Ababa, 4 June 2014 (WIC) – A man with links to the al Shabaab terrorist group has been arrested, authorities have said.
The joint anti terrorism task force of the National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) and the Federal Police said the man was ‘caught red handed’ plotting to carry out acts of terror in Addis Ababa.

Authorities said the man is recruited and trained by the al Shabaab terrorist group to carry out terrorist acts in Ethiopia.
Al Shabaab has been threatening to launch attacks in countries that sent troops to Somalia. Ethiopia and its Eastern African neighbors including Kenya, Uganda and Djibouti are fighting the terrorist group in Somalia.

The al-Qaeda affiliated group has already managed to successfully launch deadly terror attacks on Kenya, Uganda and Djibouti.
Al Shabaab came close to carrying out an attack in Ethiopia in October 2013 when two Somali suicide bombers linked with the terror group accidentally blew themselves up. The pair were preparing for a suicide bombing at the Addis Ababa Stadium where Ethiopia was due to take on Nigeria in World Cup qualifier. Five more individuals, all Somali nationals, were subsequently arrested.

Following the latest arrest, the anti terrorism task force said they have neutralized the al Shabaab terror cell in Addis Ababa. However, they have urged the public to ‘remain vigilant and immediately report any suspicious activities to authorities.’