Ahmed Shire, a soldier in the Somali National Army, was killed on the outskirts of the Ceelbaraf district in the Middle Shabelle region after an armed group ambushed him and two other soldiers accompanying him.
According to reports on the incident, the three soldiers were on leave at the time and were traveling to the Hiran region to visit their families. The armed group detained all of them but later released the other two soldiers.
While in the custody of the armed group, a video was recorded of him pleading for his life; the footage reveals his dire situation, showing him stating that he was ill and hungry, and explaining that he had been on his way to see his family.
“Uncle, please don’t kill me; I am traveling to my family for medical reasons,” he said in the video.
Elder Osman Mohamud strongly condemned the killing, stating that the incident reflects the escalating violence rooted in revenge and clan disputes.
“These heinous incidents have become frequent. What perpetuates them is the disregard for the law,” the elder said in an interview with Goobjoog. He called on the Somali government to take firm action against killings linked to clan revenge and to ensure that those accused of such acts are genuinely brought to justice.
Similarly, MP Maalik Abdalla of the House of the People extended his condolences to the soldier’s family and the National Army, describing the killing as “unjust and horrific.”
The MP urged the Federal Government—specifically the leadership of the National Army—to apprehend the individuals accused of the killing and bring them before the law.
He also called upon the soldier’s family and other concerned parties to refrain from acts of revenge or harming civilians.
“It is deeply unfortunate that a soldier from the National Army is killed, and that footage is recorded of the act to boast about it,” the MP said.
The MP demanded that the government provide a response within 24 hours that satisfies the public and take legal action against those accused of the killing.
So far, neither the Federal Government of Somalia nor the National Army command has officially commented on the details of Ahmed Shire’s killing. The killing of this soldier has revived memories of previous killings of Somali National Army soldiers in the Ceelbaraf area.
