Somalia militants blamed for beheading cleric

BULO BURTE, Somalia-Somalia’s Al Qaeda linked Al Shabaab group is suspected of being behind the beheading of well-known Muslim cleric in central vicinity, Garowe Online reports. 

The cleric—Sheikh Ahmed Sheikh Abdiasis- was found beheaded in Jameo Mubarac area, some 25km off Hiran regional district of Bulo Burte according to Somalia’s Jowhar news site.

 Bulo Burte District Commissioner Abdiasis Durow has confirmed the deadly incident, calling on locals to take up guns against Al Shabaab militants.  The Islamic Scholar-also a businessman- was decapitated near his home, with his son fleeing from the attack by Al Shabaab gunmen. 

The beleaguered militant group is known for targeting clerics against their austere version of Islam.  

Despite fresh comeback, Al Shabaab militants have lost more ground in a joint onslaught by Somali government forces and African Union peacekeepers.

GAROWEONLINE