NAIROBI — In a decisive move against the Al Qaeda-linked militant group Al Shabaab, the
semi-autonomous region of Puntland executed 10 members of the group on Saturday,
according to a statement released by regional police.
The executions, carried out by firing squad in the Mudug region’s city of Galkayo, followed a
military court trial in which the militants were found guilty of participating in a series of
assassinations and bombings across the region.
The condemned fighters had previously been sentenced to death by Puntland’s supreme
military court. Authorities stated that the convicted individuals were directly involved in
several high-profile killings within Galkayo, a city that has experienced recurrent violence
as a result of Al Shabaab’s insurgency.
“The executed fighters were previously sentenced to death by the supreme court of the
armed forces, after they were found to have committed murders in the city of Galkayo,” the
police statement confirmed.
The move is part of Puntland’s ongoing efforts to combat Al Shabaab, which has been
engaged in a nearly two-decade-long insurgency aimed at overthrowing Somalia’s central
government and imposing its own strict interpretation of Islamic law.
Despite sustained counterterrorism operations, Al Shabaab continues to carry out deadly
attacks, posing a significant challenge to security forces in the region.
Puntland, which has enjoyed a level of autonomy from the Somali federal government
since 1998, has increasingly taken a hardline stance against militants.
Saturday’s executions underscore the region’s commitment to a zero-tolerance policy
against terrorism within its borders.
Somalia’s broader battle against Al Shabaab remains a focal point of international
attention, with neighboring countries such as Kenya also playing key roles in the fight
against the insurgents.
Earlier this week, Kenyan military forces announced the killing of six Al Shabaab fighters in
a separate operation.
As Puntland continues to grapple with the persistent threat of militant violence, Saturday’s
executions mark a significant moment in the region’s efforts to reassert control and deliver
justice in the face of ongoing turmoil.
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