The Military Command of Somalia’s National Army launched a preliminary investigation into members of Somali Forces, who were allegedly accused of disseminating a video on the social media showing abuse inflicted on a prisoner of war, while the Somali troops were conducting an operation against the militant group of Al-Shabab.
The Military Command said in a statement that such an act clearly violates the military code of conduct, the military system and international laws of war, particularly those concerning the protection of prisoner’s rights.
Somalia’s Military Command warned against the soldiers committing acts of this kind, stating that strict legal and military measures will be taken against anyone found to have violated the rules of war, the rights of prisoners, and human rights.
It went on to say that the ongoing investigations will ascertain the facts of the incident and the soldiers responsible for the act shown in the video.
However, the viral video circulated on social media shows government soldiers subjecting Al-Shabab prisoner to severe abuse, placing a bag over his head and strangling him.
This video sparked widespread outrage with calls directed at the government to bring the soldiers who committed this heinous act to justice.
