Al-Shabaab beheads two Somali elders for 'supporting the government'

Two Somali elders have been beheaded by jihadist group al-Shabaab on Sunday after they were abducted from their homes in southern Somalia.

The unidentified elders were executed in the outskirts of Bardale district in the Baay region for allegedly collaborating with the Somali Federal Government, local news portal Shabelle News reported.

“The elders were recently abducted from their houses in Bardale by al-Shabaab. They have been beheaded at Turaburey area, 15Km north-west of the town,” the news portal quoted Bardale police chief, Mohamed Isack.

He added that the reason behind the execution is unknown but investigations are ongoing.

The militant group regularly carries out attacks against government, civilian or military personnel.

Al Shabaab is seeking to topple the Western-backed government and to set up an Islamic caliphate in the country.