Diplomat Foreign Desk
Mogadishu: Al-Shabaab militants have released a video showing an Ethiopian soldier being held in their custody in Somalia, according to footage circulated on social media platforms linked to the militant group.
The detainee has been identified as Mokonnan Dase, an Ethiopian soldier captured in 2023. He was taken prisoner after al-Shabaab fighters stormed and overran an Ethiopian military base in southern Somalia, the militant group said.
In the video, Mokonnan Dase appeals directly to Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, urging the government to take steps to secure his release.
He also calls on the Ethiopian public to show solidarity and advocate for his freedom.
The footage was disseminated through social media accounts and Facebook pages associated with Al-Shabaab militants, a militant group designated as a terrorist organization by multiple countries and international bodies.
As of the time of reporting, the Ethiopian government has not publicly commented on the video or on the status of the captured soldier.
Ethiopian forces have been deployed in Somalia for years as part of regional and international efforts to combat al-Shabaab, which has carried out frequent attacks targeting Somali and foreign security forces.