Somalia goverment troops: No veils allowed

[Coeus]

MOGADISHU, Somalia, Jan. 3 (UPI) -- Somali government forces banned veils at a Mogadishu checkpoint Monday to stop militants masquerading as women.

Ahmed Abdullahi, an officer of the transitional federal government, told the Somali news service Shabelle the move followed discussions by officers at the Afgoye checkpoint Sunday.

"Women wearing niqab (veils) won't be allowed to pass the control junction," he said, "because in the last few days, it is known that al-Shabaab militants who want to create violence in the area are wearing female clothes."

Soldiers at the checkpoint began carrying out the order immediately.