Mogadishu, – Somalia’s Military Court on Monday morning carried out the execution by firing squad of two men convicted of belonging to the militant group Al-Shabaab and carrying out targeted assassinations in Mogadishu.
The executed men were identified as:
- Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, also known as“Maaxi Yoonis”
- Ibrahim Aden Maadey
Authorities confirmed that the executions were conducted after the Military Court upheld guilty verdicts against the pair in previous sessions.
According to prosecutors, both men were members of Al-Shabaab’s assassination and guerrilla units, accused of carrying out ambushes and targeted killings in Mogadishu. Their victims included respected community figures and individuals considered high-value targets by the militant group.
The executions follow a series of death penalties enforced against Al-Shabaab operatives in recent weeks. Just days earlier, the Military Court oversaw similar executions of militants convicted of deadly attacks in the capital. Several additional suspects remain in custody awaiting sentencing.
The use of capital punishment in Somalia, particularly through military tribunals, remains controversial. Government officials argue that executions act as a deterrent against Al-Shabaab’s campaign of terror, while human rights organizations often criticize the process, citing concerns about due process and transparency.
The executions highlight Somalia’s continued hardline approach to countering Al-Shabaab, as authorities intensify efforts to curb targeted killings and restore public confidence in national security institutions.
