Somali National Army Launches Investigation into Alleged Prisoner Abuse

GOOBJOOG NEWS| MOGADISHU: The Somali National Army (SNA) Command has opened a preliminary investigation into a video circulating on social media that appears to show the abuse of a prisoner of war during an active military operation against Al-Shabaab militants, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Defence.

The footage, which has been widely shared across social media platforms, allegedly depicts SNA personnel mistreating a captured combatant during ongoing counterterrorism operations.

The SNA Command confirmed that members of the armed forces are featured in the video and said the incident occurred while troops were engaged in operations against Al-Shabaab, which Somali officials routinely refer to as Khawaarijta — a term denoting religious extremists.

In its statement, the military leadership said the act and any similar conduct “clearly violates military ethics, army regulations, and the laws of war governing the SNA.” The Command issued a stern warning to all service members against engaging in such behavior, emphasizing that strict legal and military disciplinary measures would be taken against any personnel found to have violated the rules of armed conflict, prisoner rights, or fundamental human rights.