In Somalia, a military tribunal has convicted and sentenced 17 civilians to death by firing squad, over the killing of three policemen. Five others were sentenced to life in prison in the first verdicts related to the land dispute uprising.

The ruling follows deadly clashes in eastern Hargeisa earlier this week that left more than seven dead including a pregnant mother and scores of others hurt.

The clashes erupted when government forces were deployed in a disputed plot of land in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

Residents in the area confronted the force with weapons and the two exchanged fire escalating to an all out war.

The land dispute centers around a former factory that was abandoned after the fall of Somalia's last central government in 1991.

This was the single bloodiest day in Hargeisa since the 2008 coordinated car-bombings that left more than twenty people dead.

Locals fear if the military carries out the execution it could bring back the dark days of dictator Mohamed Siad Bare's rule.

They pointed out that if the military court goes carries on as it is, it could lead to reprisals that will eventually destabilize the whole volatile region. Others fear the resurgence of inter-clan rivalries and conflicts.

The police, tactical forces and the military took part in the operation which saw them take at least 28 people mainly teenagers into custody.

Five other men were sentenced to life in prison in the first verdicts related to the land dispute uprising.

The men were tried behind closed doors on charges of premeditated murder of government forces and employees.

Only three have been released while three others who sustained injuries got their trials delayed. All convicted people are said to be aged between 19 and 20 years.

No one in Somaliland recalls the last time capital punishment was carried out in this breakaway region.

Somaliland is a self-declared independent nation, although it is recognized internationally as an autonomous region of Somalia.