Thursday August 7, 2025
Three Al-Shabab operatives seen shortly before their execution by firing squad in Mogadishu on August 7, 2025. The men were convicted by Somalia’s military court for their roles in deadly attacks targeting civilians and security forces in Mogadishu and Lower Shabelle. (SUPPLIED)
Mogadishu HOL) — Somalia’s military court executed three Al-Shabab operatives by firing squad on Thursday after convicting them of orchestrating a series of deadly attacks targeting civilians and security forces in Mogadishu and the Lower Shabelle region.
The executions were carried out at dawn under military supervision and witnessed by Somali army officials and family members of the victims. The military court had previously sentenced the men to death for their direct involvement in assassinations, ambushes, and operations linked to Al-Shabab’s insurgency.
The men were identified as:
- Qudaama Hamze Yusuf Mohamed, known by the alias Yahye
- Abdi Hassan Roble, also known as Afey
- Ibrahim Omar Shamcun, who went by Hubka (“Weapons”)
Court documents presented during the trial detailed their roles in coordinated attacks in the capital and rural areas of Lower Shabelle. Prosecutors said the men had participated in operations that left several civilians and government soldiers dead.
The court said all legal avenues had been exhausted before the sentence was carried out. There were no appeals or delays following the final ruling.
Somalia’s Military Court has become the primary venue for prosecuting terrorism and national security offences, especially as civilian courts face security challenges and a lack of resources. Military judges and prosecutors handle high-profile cases involving insurgents, often under strict protection.
The executions come as Somali security forces intensify their military offensive by the Somali government against Al-Shabab in southern and central regions. Backed by local militias and international partners, Somali forces are working to dismantle the group’s logistical networks and reclaim territory under militant control.
Al-Shabab, which has fought to overthrow the Somali government since 2007, continues to control large swathes of territory, conduct suicide bombings, targeted assassinations, and roadside attacks. Despite losing control of major cities, the group maintains a deadly presence in rural zones.