Somalia’s President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed has fired military chief General Mohamed Gelle Kahiye along with several other top military and police commanders.
The move comes after thousands of tons of heavy weaponry were stolen from Somali government stores resulting in Sharif relieving the top military officials of their jobs on Sunday.
Investigations were held after top officials were accused of stealing from the Somali government.
Sharif is now planning on appointing new army chiefs.
Meanwhile, at least 7 Somali troops and 3 al-Shabab fighters have been killed in attacks in the Somali capital of Mogadishu.
The opposing sides exchanged heavy gunfire in the Hodan district of Mogadishu, a Press TV correspondent reported.
At least 22,000 more civilians have been displaced in continuing fighting in Somalia’s capital, according to the United Nations Refugee Agency, UNHCR.
The fighting started last week after fighters declared an all-out-war against the UN-backed Somali government and African Union troops.
The Horn of African nation has been without an effective central government since President Siad Barre was overthrown in 1991. Years of fighting between rival armed groups have led to the deaths of thousands and displacement of millions.
