A security alert issued by the United Nations warning of a complex attack against two up-market hotels in Mogadishu has been rubbished by former Somalia Intelligence Deputy Chief Ismail Osman as “bogusâ€.
In a post on his Facebook account, the former National Intelligence Service Agency (NISA) Chief alleged a conspiracy by the UN.
“Minister of Security and NISA should step up and put to stop this UN agency sending threat alerts†Osman said.
“These are nothing but economic sabotage to local hotels. Their intention is people to stay in hotels inside Halane compound†the former spy agency Chief who served during the President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud administration said.
On Tuesday the United Nations Department Of Safety And Security (UNDSS) warned of an imminent attack.
“We have just received another STI indicating that two hotels in Mogadishu along Makkah Al Mukaramah road named Mogadishu and Ambassadeur may be targeted by insurgents between 0600hrs on 27 February 2018 to 1000hrs on 28 February 2018†the security alert which Radio Dalsan was privy of said.
“The STI further states that insurgents may use two vehicles type Noah and Toyota Surf escorted by armed men. The STI is from single credible source that we are working with other interlocutors for further corroborationâ€
A similar intel had been shared by to the Somalia government on Thursday indicating the presence of an explosive-laden vehicle targeting the Mogadishu International Airport.
A day later two twin suicide bombings and gunfight killed at least 45 people in an attack claimed by the Alqaeda linked militant group Alshabaab.