Somalia Executes Soldiers for Al-Shabaab Conspiracy Amid Rising Militancy
Somalia’s military court has executed two soldiers found guilty of conspiring with the extremist group Al-Shabaab to assassinate their battalion commander, marking a disturbing escalation of militant activity throughout the country, reports 24brussels.
The executions, conducted on Monday, followed the sentencing of the two men for their roles in the July 2024 assassination of Commander Aided Mohamed Ali. Court records reveal that one soldier received an explosive device from Al-Shabaab, while the other managed to place it under the commander’s bed, detonating it remotely.
Military prosecutor Hassan Siyad Mohamed confirmed the executions, emphasizing that they were a direct consequence of the soldiers’ involvement in the assassination. Liban Ali Yarrow, chairman of Somalia’s supreme military court, issued a stern warning that anyone found associated with Al-Shabaab, whom he referred to as “Kharijites,” would face similar repercussions.
“These traitors were exposed by God,” stated Yarrow. “Anyone who collaborates with the enemy will be executed by firing squad.”
The executions come against a backdrop of heightened concern regarding Al-Shabaab’s resurgence in Somalia. The Al-Qaeda-affiliated group has reclaimed numerous towns and villages, erasing nearly all territorial advancements made by the Somali National Army in 2022 and 2023. In recent weeks, they have reestablished control over critical regions in central and southern Somalia, reinstating checkpoints and tax collection systems.
Last week, the military also executed three Al-Shabaab members for their role in civilian killings in Mogadishu.
Somalia continues to struggle with escalating security issues as Al-Shabaab intensifies its offensive against both government forces and civilians. While the government remains steadfast in its commitment to exert pressure on the group, analysts caution that effective military and judicial measures must be complemented by political reconciliation and institutional reforms to avert further destabilization.
