Somali youths in Elasha Biyaha, some 15 km south of Mogadishu, are facing the wrath of the militant group al-Shabaab following deadly threats from the Islamist fighters, local residents said on Saturday.
Reports indicate that more than 20 youths have fled the area over the last 24 hours.
Locals allege the militant group has been kidnapping the youths before beheading them in what is seen as a reprisal attack.
“The militant group started to kidnap the youth and behead them, so our children started to flee so as to save their lives,” said one of the residents who requested not to disclose his name for security reasons.
Some of the victims said they had fled to the capital Mogadishu where the African Union-backed Transitional Federal Government (TFG) troops have gained control of vast areas.
“We came from Elasha Biyaha and Arbiska and now we are in Mogadishu where the government controls,” said Salah Abukar, a 23-year-old boy, who escaped from the attackers. On Wednesday, two young men from Elasha Biyaha were allegedly kidnapped by the al-Shabaab. Later, a body belonging to one of the victims was found beheaded in the same area.
“Al-Shabaab wants the youth to join their group and take part of the war, whoever rejects the plea, they recognize them as an enemy,” said 19-year-old Abdi Warsameh.
