"The minister of communications orders internet companies to
stop the aforementioned applications, which terrorists and
immoral groups use to spread constant horrific images and
misinformation to the public," the minister, Jama Hassan Khalif,
said in a statement late on Sunday.
Members of insurgent group al Shabaab often post about their
activities on TikTok and Telegram.
The decision comes days after Somali President Hassan Sheikh
Mohamud said a military offensive against al Shabaab aims to
eliminate the al Qaeda-linked group in the next five months.
TikTok, Telegram and 1XBet did not immediately respond to
Reuters' requests for comment.
The order gave internet service providers until Aug. 24 to
comply.
1XBet is popular in Somalia for betting, especially on soccer
matches.
TikTok has been threatened with bans in the United States over
its alleged ties to the Chinese government. The state of Montana
became the first to ban the app in May.
(Reporting by Abdi Sheikh; Writing by George Obulutsa; Editing
by Devika Syamnath)
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