Mogadishu (AX) — The Somali Future Council has demanded an independent inquiry after a reported drone strike on the Doolow residence of former Somali Correctional Service commander Gen. Mahad Abdirahman Shub injured him and members of his family.
In a statement issued Friday, the opposition coalition said the incident raised grave concerns, including allegations that drones backed by a foreign power may have been used.
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The Somali Future Council, an alliance bringing together the leaders of Puntland State and Jubaland and federal opposition figures, said Gen. Mahad and several relatives were wounded in the strike.
“Gen. Mahad had previously been removed from office and arrested for political reasons linked to his family ties with former South West State President Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen,” the statement reads.
The council said it was not aware of Gen. Mahad being charged with terrorism or any other offense.
It also criticized the federal government’s account of the incident. The government has denied responsibility, saying preliminary findings indicated that an explosion occurred while explosives were being prepared inside the house.
“Such accusations could set a dangerous precedent,” the Somali Future Council said.
The coalition cautioned that such claims could allow political rivals to be attacked and subsequently accused of storing or preparing explosives in their own homes.
The council urged authorities to launch an immediate, independent investigation into the events in Doolow, identify those who ordered or enabled the attack, and establish whether a foreign military power played a role.
“We call on Somalia’s international partners to ensure that weapons, drones, intelligence and other support provided to Somalia for the fight against al-Shabab are not used in domestic political conflicts,” they added.
The federal government has rejected any role in the Doolow incident and said it will form a fact-finding committee to investigate.
