Armed militants on Thursday descended on the makeshift structure in the city where the commodity are sold and rounded up 25 local Khat traders, sparking outrage from owners and residents.

Abdirahim Mudey, an Al-Shabaab leader in the city who was leading the demolition team said they overran this stall after owners failed to comply with their order banning the sell of the commodity in the city.

Relatives of the detainees were reportedly seen converging in front of the area rebel detention centre, demanding for their immediate release.

Khat is a mild narcotic leaves that is chewed by most of Somali men in and outside the country, but Al-Shabaab consider it as un-Islamic stimulant.

The incident comes two days after hundreds of khat traders, mainly women, in Kismayo town took to the streets to protest against Al-Shabaab’s ban on the commodity, saying that it is their main source of living.

The protesters marched outside the area district headquarters demanding reversal of the rebel order banning selling of the narcotic leaves in the city.

The rebel group earlier gave khat traders in the port city an ultimatum of 20 days to stay away from selling the commodity.

Khat is the preferred pastime and source of relaxation for many people in Somalia, especially men who spend several hours chewing the leaves and twigs.