The former deputy leader of al-Qaida-linked militant group al-Shabab has been arrested in southern Somalia, sparking clashes between his supporters and pro-government forces that left eight people dead.
Officials speaking on condition of anonymity say Mukhtar Robow, also known as Abu Mansoor, was invited to a meeting Thursday at the regional state presidential palace in Baidoa, 250 kilometers northwest of Mogadishu. They say upon arrival, he was immediately detained.
Telecommunications in Biadoa were briefly shut down as disgruntled Robow supporters took to the streets.
Robow’s militia along with his supporters clashed with Ethiopian soldiers providing security to the palace, leaving eight people dead and more than 10 others injured, witnesses and officials told VOA’s Somali service.
Two Somali lawmakers who spoke to the VOA accused the Somali government of arresting Robow using Ethiopian military forces.
A VOA stringer reports that sporadic gunfire could still be heard across the town Thursday after midday.
Calls VOA made to several federal government officials to comment on the incident were not answered.