Somali Army Probes Alleged Abuse of Al-Shabaab Prisoner in Viral Video
Somalia’s military has launched a preliminary investigation after a video appeared to show soldiers abusing an Al-Shabaab prisoner, sparking widespread outrage and calls for accountability.
MOGADISHU, Somalia (Somali Report) — Somalia's military said Tuesday it had launched a preliminary investigation into soldiers accused of abusing a suspected Al-Shabaab prisoner after a video circulating on social media sparked widespread outrage.
The Somali National Army said in a statement that it was investigating members of the armed forces who were allegedly involved in recording and sharing footage showing the mistreatment of a prisoner of war during an operation against the Islamist militant group.
The video, which circulated widely on social media on Tuesday, appeared to show government soldiers subjecting a man described as an Al-Shabaab detainee to severe abuse. In the footage, soldiers allegedly place a plastic bag over the prisoner's head and appear to suffocate him.
AFP was not able to independently verify the authenticity of the footage, including when and where it was recorded or the identity of those involved.
The military command said the alleged actions were a clear violation of military ethics and regulations, as well as international laws governing armed conflict, particularly provisions concerning the protection and treatment of prisoners.
"The ongoing investigation will establish the facts surrounding the incident and identify those responsible for the acts shown in the video," the Somali National Army said in its statement.
It warned all members of the armed forces against committing similar acts and said strict disciplinary and legal measures would be taken against anyone found to have violated the laws of war, prisoners' rights or human rights.
The announcement came after the footage triggered anger among Somali social media users, with many calling on the government to hold the soldiers allegedly involved accountable.
The incident threatens to raise fresh concerns about the conduct of security forces as Somalia continues its long-running military campaign against Al-Shabaab, an Al-Qaeda-linked group that has been waging an insurgency against the country's internationally recognised government for more than a decade.
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Somali government forces, supported by local militias and international partners, have conducted a series of military operations against the group across central and southern Somalia.
While the government has made significant territorial gains during successive offensives, Al-Shabaab continues to carry out deadly attacks against military and civilian targets and retains a presence in several rural areas.
International humanitarian law requires parties involved in armed conflict to treat detainees and prisoners humanely and prohibits torture, cruel treatment and other forms of abuse.
The Somali military did not identify the soldiers under investigation or provide details about their unit or the location where the alleged abuse took place.
It also did not say whether the prisoner shown in the footage remained alive or was receiving medical treatment.
The military said its preliminary investigation was aimed at establishing the full circumstances surrounding the incident before further action is taken.
The case has drawn renewed calls for accountability within Somalia's security forces, with critics urging authorities to ensure that those responsible are brought before the law if the allegations are confirmed.
The army said it remained committed to upholding military discipline, human rights and the rules governing armed conflict as it continues operations against Al-Shabaab.
About the Author
Ahmed Omar is a senior journalist for Somali Report, based in Mogadishu. He has two decades of experience reporting on Somalia for international and local media. He covers politics, security, governance, business, trade, economic developments and regional affairs.