Somali intelligence chief shot dead outside home by al-Shabaab

The government's battle against the Islamic extremist rebel group has become more violent in recent weeks.

1 min read

28 April, 2017

Mohamud Haji Ali did not have any bodyguards near him at the time [Twitter]

A senior Somali military intelligence officer was killed outside his own home by al-Shabaab gunmen on Thursday.

Mohamud Haji Ali was shot by a group of gunmen in the Shibis district of Mogadishu and the Islamist rebel group later claimed responsibility.

"Police and security forces reached the scene later to investigate and pursue the militants," police officer Ibrahim Nur told Reuters.

"The officer [Haji Ali] had no guards with him when he was killed."

The gunmen then managed to escape the scene.

"We are behind the killing of the national security general called Mohamud Haji Ali," said Abdiasis Abu Musab, a spokesperson for al-Shabaab.

Somalia recently upped its battle against al-Shabaab with more military operations and a new soft power programme to deter young people from recruiting with the Islamist group.

The battle to defeat al-Shabaab has intensified since the new president of Somalia, nicknamed Mohammed 'Farmaajo' took power in February.