Facebook Twitter (X) Instagram Somali Magazine - People's Magazine
Somalia’s military court has executed two former government soldiers found guilty of collaborating with the extremist group al-Shabaab to assassinate their commander.
The executions took place on Monday after the men were convicted of killing Major Aidiid Mohamed Ali, the commander of the 83rd Battalion, in July.
Assassination Plot
According to court documents, the plot involved two soldiers who were working secretly with al-Shabaab. Prosecutors said one of them received an explosive device from the group, while the other placed it under Major Aidiid’s bed. The bomb was later detonated remotely, killing the commander instantly.
The court found clear evidence linking the soldiers to al-Shabaab and to the assassination. In August, both men were sentenced to death for their roles in the killing.
“They were executed today for their involvement in the assassination of Commander Aidiid Mohamed Ali,” said prosecutor Hassan Siyad Mohamed after the sentence was carried out.
Strong Warning from Military Court
Liban Ali Yarrow, chairman of Somalia’s supreme military court, issued a stern warning to anyone aiding al-Shabaab. He said that those caught working with the group would face the same punishment.
“One day God will expose you, and you will come out, and we will find you and execute you by firing squad,” Yarrow told reporters.
The military court in Somalia has a long-standing policy of using swift and strict measures against individuals found guilty of aiding extremist groups, especially those targeting security forces.
Recent Military Gains Against al-Shabaab
The executions come only days after Somali forces, with the help of Ugandan troops from the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), recaptured the strategic town of Bariire in the Lower Shabelle region from al-Shabaab fighters.
Bariire has been a key base for al-Shabaab due to its location and proximity to Mogadishu. Its recapture is seen as an important step in weakening the group’s presence in southern Somalia.
Military officials say the operation in Bariire is part of a larger campaign to push al-Shabaab out of key territories. In recent months, Somali forces, supported by ATMIS troops, have increased operations aimed at disrupting the group’s supply routes and recruitment activities.
Al-Shabaab’s Ongoing Insurgency
Al-Shabaab, which is linked to al-Qaeda, has been fighting to overthrow Somalia’s internationally backed government since 2007. The group regularly carries out suicide bombings, assassinations, and armed assaults targeting government officials, security forces, and civilians.
Despite losing control of many towns and villages, al-Shabaab remains active in rural areas, where it collects taxes from residents and maintains training camps.
Security analysts say that the assassination of Major Aidiid shows the group’s continued ability to infiltrate government structures, despite increased counterterrorism efforts.
Government’s Firm Stance
Somalia’s government has repeatedly stated that it will not tolerate infiltration by extremists within its ranks. Officials argue that such incidents not only weaken the military from within but also pose a direct threat to national stability.
The military court’s decision to execute the two former soldiers is meant to send a strong message that betrayal of the country and collaboration with al-Shabaab will be met with the harshest possible consequences.
For many in Somalia, the killing of Major Aidiid was a painful reminder of the risks faced by soldiers fighting against al-Shabaab every day. The swift execution of those responsible is being viewed by supporters of the government as justice for the commander’s death and as a warning to others who might consider aiding the extremist group.