The three men were being investigated by the Al Shabaab since the beginning of the year, according to the judge who sentenced the three men to death on Monday.

The three men were executed by firing squad in the outskirts of Merka, where according to sources, people were forced to watch the executions.

Al Shabaab’s Lower Shabelle region head, Mohamed Abu Abdallah, who spoke shortly after the sentences said that Al Shabaab would locate any other foreign agents in their midst.    

“These three men are part of a group of agents that work with Western intelligence agencies, and we after the other agents,” said Abu Abdallah.

According to the statement made by Al Shabaab representatives, the three men executed were, Issaq Omar Hassan, Yasin Usman Ahmed who were allegedly working with the CIA, and Mukhtar Ibrahim Sheikh who was accused of working with the British intelligence agency, MI6.

According to local sources, the men were accused of being behind the killing of Al Shabaab agent and foreign fighter Bilal el Berjawi who was killed earlier this year in Elasha Biyaha.

Somali and African Union troops have won many strategic regions in southern Somalia from the Al Shabaab and US drones have successfully targeted top Al Shabaab officials.

According to the Wall Street Journal, the Pentagon reportedly is seeking to give hand controlled drones to African Union countries fighting terrorist organizations in Somalia.

In similar news, the Puntland governmen t released a statement on the arrest of an alleged Al Qaida agent who was carrying TNT, wires and guns.

According to the press release, the Puntland forces with the assistance of the local community captured the alleged Al Qaida agent who was of Yemeni descent, in the coastal town of Alula.

"The seizure demonstrates the strong cooperation between Puntland government and local communities in efforts to fight terrorism and piracy," read the press release.

GAROWE ONLINE