Somali Military Colonel Mohammad Kariye Arale Denies That He Was Arrested By Ethiopian Troops

Beledweyne (MCRS) 01 June 2016 – Colonel Mohammad Kariye Arale of Somali National Army has termed  the news that he was detained by Ethiopian troops in Beledweyne “baseless”.

On Monday several local news outlets published that the colonel was arrested and tortured by Ethiopian troops in Baladweyne.“I was not arrested by Ethiopians.

Of course I am in Beldweyne and as I speak I am in the Somali military base not in Ethiopian base,” said the colonel But El Bur district commissioner told reporters different version of story.

Speaking to reporters Abdi Hassan Biya Qote said the colonel had been arrested by Ethiopian troops after he was allegedly involved in the killing of a Al-Shabaab defector.

He did not specify the nature of killing or whether the man was agent of Ethiopian troops. Somali defense ministry has not commented on the development.