BELEDWEYNE (SD) – Al-Shabaab militants shot dead a female guard at Hirshabelle State Presidency in Jowhar, Hiran region, on Friday.

The woman killed by al-Shabaab was identified as Nasteho Jim’ale Mohamed. Hundreds of Buq-Aqable residents were gathered at the scene of the shooting.

Al-Shabaab-affiliated media alleged that the executed female had been working as guard at the Hirshabelle presidential palace in Jowhar for more than three years.

Al-Shabab has in the past executed in public, people it claiming to be soldiers and employees of the Federal Government of Somalia and regional governments.

Al-Shabaab has stepped up attacks at a time when the country’s 11th parliamentary elections are in full swing.