Al-Shabaab Kills Anti-Terrorism Unit, Somali National Army Commanders

Al-Shabaab militants on Monday (July 14th) killed Deputy Chief of Somalia’s Anti-Terrorism Unit Ibrahim Ahmed Farah in a drive-by shooting in Mogadishu, al-Shabaab website Radio Andalus reported.

The militants blocked the official’s car with their vehicle in an area between Waaberi and Hamar Jajab districts, spraying it with bullets before escaping from the scene.

Two Somali officials who were driving with Ibrahim were wounded and taken to Madina Hospital for treatment, according to Hiiraan Online.

Also on Monday, al-Shabaab militants ambushed a convoy of government forces passing through Lego and Yaqbari Weyne in Lower Shabelle region, killing Omar Sheikh Elmi, commander of Somali National Army’s 60th Division, Garowe Online reported.

Government soldiers and the militants exchanged fire after the attack, but the number of casualties on both sides could not be independently verified.

There was no immediate comment from the government about the assassinations which come less than a week after al-Shabaab militants stormed the presidential palace, prompting Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud to sack his police and intelligence chiefs.

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