Somalia: Khat is banned from Islamist controlled areas

Somalia’s Islamist radical group of Hizbul Islam has imposed on Friday strict Islamic rules on the people living in Elasha Biyaha area in southern outskirt of the capital – they banned selling and chewing Khat (the narcotic leaves) in the environ.

Ahmed Abdi Dinah, one of the Hizbul Islam militants, told the local media they issued warnings against the users and sellers of the Khat as part of implementing the Sharia law on the ground.

“We would take tough actions against anyone who is seen selling or consuming the Khat leaves,” said Dinah. Elesha Biyaha is a place of hundreds of displaced people from the fighting the in the capital.

Earlier, the alleged terror group Al-Shabab imposed firm Islamic orders on the southern parts of Somalia like middle and lower Jubas, Geddo, Bay and Bakol regions. The militants carried out number of public executions and flagging and ordered the women to put veil on their bodies.

These angered by the Western powers who branded Al-Shabab as terror group linking to Al-Qaeda network.

Hizbul Islam and Al-Shabab, both are the rebel movements that have been involving in great battles against the internationally recognized government and its back up troops from the African Union.