Al-Shabab executes two men accused of collaborating with Somali army forces

Al-Shabab militant group publicly executed two men accused of working with Somali government forces in a village near Janale, about 90 kilometers southwest of Mogadishu, witnesses said Friday.  

The executions occurred in a public square in Busley Daoud, an area under Al-Shabab control. The victims, identified as Mohamed Abdulkhadir Ali, 21, and Mohamud Hassan Ali, 20, were blindfolded and shot in front of at least 100 residents, witnesses reported. The men were reportedly denied legal representation during the proceedings.  

Al-Shabab accused Abdulkhadir Ali of collaborating with Somali forces in the Lower Shabelle region's town of Marka, while Hassan Ali was charged with aiding government forces in Aden Yabaal, a district in Middle Shabelle recently recaptured by Somali troops.  

The militant group continues to enforce its rule in pockets of territory despite losing control over much of the Lower and Middle Shabelle regions. It uses these areas to impose taxes on local populations and intimidate residents through displays of violence.