Notorious African jihadist network bans plastic bags

In a surprise move the Somali jihadist group al-Shabaab has also banned single-use plastic bags in a move aimed at protecting the environment, reports The Independent.

During a broadcast on the militant-aligned Radio Andalus last week, local leader Mohammed Abu Abdullah said plastic bags were a “serious” threat to humans and livestock.

The al-Qaeda-affiliated group also banned the logging of endangered trees in the same broadcast.

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Enforcement of the bans in areas under al-Shabaab’s control was not mentioned, but the group’s violent methods usually encourages civilians to obey them. 

Common punishments meted out to offenders include floggings, the cutting off of hands, stonings and even beheadings.

The group has been driven from the Somali capital Mogadishu but continue to rules large regional areas.

It has also continued to carry out terrorist attacks in neighbouring Kenya.

Last year more than 500 people were killed and 312 wounded after a truck bomb detonated in Mogadishu.

Though not claiming responsibility, a cell of militant group al-Shabaab was blamed for the horrific bombing.

And last month al Shabaab claimed responsibility for an attack in southern Somalia in which a US commando was killed and four others were wounded.