Former Somalia defense minister dies in Al-Shabaab hotel attack
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Staff reporter Garowe Online
- Posted On 01-02-2021, 07:29AM
MOGADISHU, Somalia - Renowned retired army general Mohamed Nur Galal was among 9 killed in the latest Al-Shabaab attack within the capital Mogadishu, police said on Sunday, hours after Al-Shabaab militants claimed responsibility for the deadly raid.
At least nine people were confirmed dead by authorities on the spot with ten others sustaining serious injuries. The injured ones are currently being treated in various hospitals within Mogadishu, just near the scene of the attack, which caught security forces unaware.
Galal served in the Somali National Army during the reign of General Mohamed Siad Barre, who was ousted from power in 1991 after years of autocracy, but his removal led to a civil war in the country. Galal served in the famous Ogaden war among other assignments in the country.
Sources said the retired general was the owner of Afric Hotel which was targeted by the Al-Shabaab militants. However, he had been rescued by security forces moments after the attack but succumbed to his injuries later on as he was being rushed to the hospital.
According to the police, the militants first detonated a bomb outside the hotel which is located near the heavily fortified Halane Base camp before storming into the hotel with their guns.
The siege which started at around 5 pm local time lasted for several hours before security forces took control.
All the 4 attackers in the incident were killed during the siege, police said. Several businesses near the hotel were destroyed including vehicles that were packed nearby.
Al-Shabaab did not mention the reasons behind their cowardly attack but it's understood that a number of government officials were having a meeting at the time of the attack.
The Al-Shabaab militants have been running retaliatory attacks across the country due to the ongoing crackdown against them across the country. Somali National Army, African Union Mission Forces, and the US Africa Command have been leading the crackdown against the militants.
GAROWE ONLINE
