MOGADISHO, Somalia: In the shadows of Somalia, the Hormuud Hitmen, internally known as Katiibatul Difaac Alnafsi wal Maal, originally established in the mid-1990s under a fatwa, have garnered attention for their controversial actions in the absence of effective government control.
Initially founded to protect the life and business of Albarakaat proprietors from aggressors, the unit operated within the bounds of a fatwa based on a misinterpretation of a Hadith, advocating the killing of those posing threats to businesses. The foundation evolved over time, leading to the expansion of operations against business competitors, critical journalists, and government civil servants by 2010, all justified under an updated fatwa citing harm due to unethical competition and targeted regulations.
One alarming revelation is the unit’s alleged agreement with Al-Shabaab, a notorious extremist group, forming a taxation deal where Hormuud reportedly transfers an estimated 17 to 25 million USD annually in five installments. Furthermore, the unit claimed a successful assault against Da’esh in 2018 in collaboration with Al-Shabaab, culminating in a taxation agreement of 500,000 USD annually for five consecutive years, though negotiations for a new deal are ongoing.
Since its inception in 1995, the unit is believed to be responsible for more than 800 deaths, with recent notable events including the killings of individuals such as Osman Ahmed Tiireey in 2017 and Abdirahman Shekeye in 2022, raising concerns about the unit’s influence over business competition. The most recent incident on August 11, 2023, involving the killing of Isaaq Aadan Cali, a prominent competitor who was competing with Hormuud affiliated Alburuuj construction adds to the unit’s controversial track record.
In a startling announcement, internal leaks suggest a list of 583 persons killed in Mogadishu by the unit. As the international community monitors these developments, concerns grow over the impact of such a unit on stability and ethical business practices in the region.
