Locals accused the militants for beheading a man and woman who were local residents of Awdilne after accusing them of spying for the Somali government.

Ibrahim Issack Adow, a local villager in Awdinle told Sunatimes that three militant fighters were killed during the incident, adding that locals acted in self defence after the militants started beheading their fellow villagers with no apparent reasons.

He said locals could not sustain militants continued brutality against locals including beheadings and opted to defend themselves.

Tension is now said to be prevailing in the area, with reports of locals fleeing their homes in fear of reprisals from the militant fighters following the incident.