Legitimate Somali Students (File Photo)
Reports from Elasha Biyaha, 15km south of Mogadishu, confirm that al-Shabaab militants are routinely changing from their military clothes into school uniforms after they flee Mogadishu and forcing students to dress like insurgents, jeopardizing the lives of legitimate students in the area.
“The militant shifted their uniforms and now wear school uniforms like those worn in intermediate and secondary schools in Elashab Biyaha. We closed the schools because this may affect the students if the government forces come to this area. Student were sent home until things change,” Mustaf Ahmed, a school teacher, told Somalia Report.
Locals reported that the insurgents often hide pistols and hand grenades under the uniforms.
“We know they take off their turbans and robes and change into school uniforms,” a local resident, Mahmud Ali, told Somalia Report.
Parents anonymously told Somalia Report that the militants have gone so far as to force students to dress like militants are extremely distressed that the lives of the innocent school children at risk.
An elderly man residing in the area and speaking to Somalia Report on the condition of anonymity stated that al-Shabaab has shifted its attention to disrupting education in an attempt to shatter the future of the country.
Some of the students have not gone to school for fear of being forced to dress like a militant, having their uniform stolen or being forcibly recruited.
Elsewhere the militants jailed today many locals in Elasha and KM13 areas after a deadly bomb blast exploded in an al-Shabaab base last night, killing several insurgents.
