Bardere (Sunatimes) The administration of the Al Shabab militia group in Bardhere has banned women from selling Khat in the town. The militia group said that the women have been forewarned to stop these activities. Khat is a mild drug commonly and widely used by Somalis.

Al Shabab ordered the women to stay in their homes and to allow men to sell Khat. The cigarette sellers also were told to clear cigarette from the town within 15 hours.

The leader of Al Shabab in Gedo Province, Abas Abdullahi Abdirahman who held a press conference in Bardhere said the orders must be implemented with due course. Those who don’t comply will receive harsh penalties, he said.

Al Shabab, mostly in the area of control impose strict orders on the population where they are seen flogging the people in public in the pretext of defying their orders.

The Al Shabab militias banned the drug in most of the places they control in Southern Somalia and have restricted it to be sold at certain places far from the main town centers.

By Mohamed Abukar