Somalia’s semi-autonomous state of Puntland executed ten fighters from the Islamist militant group al Shabaab on Saturday. The executions, carried out by firing squad in Galkayo, were confirmed by the region’s police in an official statement.
The condemned fighters were sentenced to death by a military court for their involvement in a series of assassinations and bombings that have plagued several areas in Galkayo.
According to police officials, these individuals had previously received death sentences from the Supreme Court of the Armed Forces after being found guilty of multiple murders in the city.
Al Shabaab, an insurgent group linked to Al Qaeda, has been waging war in Somalia for nearly two decades. Their goal is to topple the central Somali government and impose a strict interpretation of Islamic sharia law across the country.
The group has been responsible for numerous violent attacks, leading to widespread instability and suffering in Somalia.
Puntland’s recent actions reflect a heightened determination to combat the pervasive influence of al Shabaab in the region. The executions serve as a stark warning to other militants involved in similar activities and underscore the government’s commitment to restoring security.
