MOGADISHU (Kaab TV) – Two Ethiopian nationals accused of being members of Al-Shabaab were brought before the Somali Military Court after they were reportedly captured during a planned security operation carried out by Somali intelligence forces in South West State, particularly in the city of Baidoa.
The suspects, identified as Hamza Ibrahim Ali Abu Irshaad and Nasri Abdirahman Ali Abu Safiya, were formally presented with charges before the military court. Prosecutors alleged that the two men participated in armed conflict alongside Al-Shabaab, received militant training, and illegally entered Somalia to join the group.
According to court documents, both suspects were born in the city of Harar in eastern Ethiopia and were described as fluent Somali speakers.
The Office of the Military Court Prosecutor requested that the two defendants be convicted, arguing that a harsh sentence would serve as a warning to others seeking to join Al-Shabaab and help counter threats to national security.
Defense lawyers representing the two accused men rejected the charges, telling the court that the allegations were serious but unsupported by sufficient evidence.
The defense team requested that the suspects be deported back to Ethiopia so they could reunite with their families instead of facing prosecution in Somalia.
The First Instance Military Court said it would review arguments presented by both the prosecution and defense before issuing a ruling at a later date.
The case comes amid ongoing security operations by Somali federal forces and intelligence agencies targeting suspected Al-Shabaab members and networks operating across southern and central Somalia.
Authorities in Somalia have increasingly warned about the involvement of foreign fighters within Al-Shabaab ranks, particularly individuals originating from neighboring countries in the Horn of Africa.
Baidoa and other parts of Southwest State remain key areas in Somalia’s broader counterterrorism campaign, with Somali forces and international partners conducting regular military operations against Al-Shabaab strongholds.
The Somali Military Court has in recent years handled numerous terrorism-related cases involving both Somali and foreign nationals accused of links to extremist organizations operating in the country.