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Somali Military Court Executes 13 Militants, 5 Soldiers

by Ahmed Mohamed

   Mogadishu, Somalia --

   A military court in Puntland, a semi-autonomous region in Somalia,
   executed 13 militants Wednesday who were members of the al-Shabab and
   Islamic State terror groups.

   The court said five Somali soldiers were also executed for killing
   civilians in Puntland.

   The court gave no details on the killings.

   A sixth soldier, who was also found guilty, was spared the death
   penalty after his family pledged to pay so-called blood money to the
   victim's family.

   Somalia's courts allow for out-of-court settlements in murder cases
   through financial compensation. The compensation amount, usually in the
   form of camels, was said to be under negotiation.

   Somali authorities have executed a number of militants in the past year
   as they wage an all-out war against al-Shabab.

   Somali troops at times have been accused of using excessive force. Last
   month, a military court in Mogadishu executed two other Somali army
   soldiers, also for killing civilians.