Friday September 11, 2026
Mogadishu (HOL) — Somali communities across the country and in the diaspora have strongly condemned the killing of Somali National Army soldier Ahmed Shire, who was captured and killed by an armed group in El Baraf district in Middle Shabelle region.
Shire and two other soldiers were reportedly ambushed while on leave and travelling to Hiiraan region to visit their families. The armed group captured all three soldiers but later released two of them.
“Maternal uncles, don’t kill me. I am on my way to my family in good health,” Shire said in the video.
The killing has sparked widespread anger and renewed concerns over revenge attacks and clan-related violence in parts of central Somalia.
Former Somali President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed expressed deep sorrow over the killing, describing it as part of recurring violence that has recently increased.
He warned against revenge killings and inter-clan conflict, saying such incidents often escalate when state authority weakens.
“Whenever our governance weakens, chaos and clan conflicts increase,” Sharif said.
Nabadoon Osman Mahmoud also condemned the killing, saying the incident reflected rising violence driven by revenge and clan differences.
“These heinous incidents have been repeated. What is being repeated is the law being ignored,” Osman said in an interview with Goobjoog.
He called on the Somali government to prevent clan revenge killings and bring those accused of such acts to justice.
MP Malik Abdalla of the House of the People sent condolences to the soldier’s family and the Somali National Army, describing the killing as unjust and horrific.
The lawmaker called on the federal government, particularly the leadership of the Somali National Army, to arrest those accused of the killing and bring them before the courts.
He also urged Shire’s family and other parties involved to refrain from retaliation and avoid harming civilians.
“It is a great misfortune that a soldier from the Somali National Army is killed, and then a video is recorded to show off,” the MP said.
Malik called on the government to provide a satisfactory public response within 24 hours and take legal action against those accused of the murder.
The federal government and the Somali National Army command have not yet officially commented on the details of Shire’s killing.
The incident has revived memories of previous killings of Somali National Army soldiers in El Baraf district, where army officers travelling to visit their families in Hiiraan region were also killed.
