Al-Shabaab fighters confiscated twenty trucks on Sunday, in the Jowhar district of Middle Shabelle region. They were carrying food aid intended for internally displaced people (IDPs) who are in desperate need. Al-Shabaab argues their actions are justified as the shipment was heading to regions that run by Ahlu Sunna Wal Jamaah in central Somalia.

“Al-Shabaab militants blocked the road and ordered us to get out of our vehicles. Later they told us that we are their prisoners. We were taken to their base and asked questions about the shipment, but we told them as it was meant for IDPs so they freed us,” one of the truck drivers, who desired to remain nameless, told Somalia Report.

Abdullahi Ali Mahmud, a Somali government secretary for the Middle Shaballe region, confirmed to Somalia Report that the militants forcibly seized twenty trucks laden with rice that was intended for needy people in that region.

“The extremists captured at least twenty trucks today, carrying food and medical aid for those IDPs inside the Middle Shabelle region. People are dying of hunger, but the militants do not allow the suffering people to be helped,” said Mahmud.

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