Somalia’s military court carried out the execution of two convicted Al-Shabaab members in Mogadishu on Monday, reinforcing the government’s uncompromising approach to countering the insurgent group. Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, widely known as Maaxi Yoonis, and Ibrahim Adan Maadey were executed by firing squad after being found guilty of participating in targeted assassinations in the capital.

Officials said both men operated within Al-Shabaab’s assassination units, a network that has terrorized Mogadishu with ambushes and killings of respected community members.

Details Of The Case

Court officials confirmed that Maaxi Yoonis and Ibrahim Adan Maadey had been convicted in earlier sessions after evidence tied them to killings carried out in Mogadishu. Their targets reportedly included influential elders, civil servants, and community leaders singled out by Al-Shabaab for their cooperation with government institutions. After the appeals process upheld the verdicts, the executions were conducted at dawn under heavy security in the capital.

Al-Shabaab’s Campaign Of Targeted Killings

The two fighters were part of Al-Shabaab’s strategy to weaken Somali institutions by eliminating key figures. Over the past decade, assassination units have carried out shootings, car bombings, and ambushes in Mogadishu, creating a climate of fear that complicates governance and undermines local confidence in security forces. These killings often focus on individuals seen as collaborators with Somali authorities, including judges, soldiers, and traditional leaders.

Somalia’s Response Through Military Courts

Military courts have become the central tool for prosecuting Al-Shabaab suspects in Somalia. Dozens of fighters accused of attacks, bombings, or assassinations have been sentenced to death in recent years, and many of those sentences have been swiftly enforced. The government defends this approach as necessary for deterrence, citing the scale of Al-Shabaab’s violence and the risk posed by releasing or delaying punishment for convicted militants.

Ongoing Security Challenge

Despite executions and intensified operations, Al-Shabaab remains one of the most lethal insurgent groups in Africa. The group continues to mount attacks across southern and central Somalia, and in recent months has carried out large-scale assaults in Shabelle and Hiran regions. In Mogadishu, sporadic assassinations and bombings continue, underscoring the group’s ability to infiltrate urban areas despite heavy security measures.