Somalia executes Al-Shabaab operatives by firing squad

MOGADISHU, Somalia - The Somalia military court has yet again executed Al-Shabaab convicts as part of the ongoing fight against the militants who control large swathes of rural central and southern Somalia, making it a total of 10 people to be killed within two weeks in the Horn of Africa nation.

Last week, the court executed three militants who were convicted of various crimes, including coordination of attacks across the country. The execution was carried out by the famous firing squad, a contingent within the Somali National Army [SNA] which is given such responsibilities.

According to the military court, the Thursday militants were executed having been convicted of killing security personnel. Execution has been part of the strategy to eliminate the militants from the country, but they still dominate most parts of the country including northeastern Kenya.

Those killed on Thursday morning are Abdulle Ahmed Mudey, 24, and Omar Adan Mohamed, 29. They were convicted for assassinating two security officers in 2019 and the military court has turned down their appeals, warranting their immediate execution by firing squad.

This brings the number of militants executed in recent days to 10. The country has heightened the crackdown against the Al-Shabaab militants, mainly targeting their bases in central and southern Somalia. In recent days, there have been crackdowns in Galgaduud, Hiiraan, and Bay regions.

Over the weekend, the Al-Shabaab militants raided downtown Mogadishu killing over 120 people while injuring over 300 others. The government condemned the militants and vowed to extend a crackdown, with other countries also pledging support in the fight against Al-Shabaab.

Al-Shabaab has been fighting to overthrow the government for the last 16 years but their efforts have dwindled following a sustained crackdown by the military. The Somali National Army has been getting assistance from the US Africa Command and the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia and the local militia.

GAROWE ONLINE