BELEDWEYNE, Somalia – Six soldiers from the Somali National Army, ambushed and killed by clan militia in Middle Shabelle, were buried in Beledweyne on Sunday, marking a poignant moment in the capital of the Hiran region.
The interment followed negotiations between the Hawadle and Abgal clan leaders, amid unresolved discussions regarding justice for the fallen SNA soldiers who were shot in the head by tribal fighters while returning from the frontlines and on the way for a family visit.
The funeral ceremony was attended by significant figures such as Abdullahi Sanbalolshe of the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) and General Odowaa Yusuf Raagge, Chief of the Army, alongside traditional leaders and family members mourning their loss.
Following the attack, the Somali military court responded by issuing warrants for 14 individuals suspected of involvement. Prime Minister Hamse Abdi Barre has insisted on a legal rather than a customary resolution, stressing, “Accountability and justice are paramount.”
Initially, local elders in Beledweyne had resisted proceeding with the burial until the perpetrators were in custody. However, the decision to move forward with the funerals is perceived as an effort to ease tensions, while the demand for justice for the soldiers remains loud and clear.
