Hiiraan Online
Wednesday, May 28, 2014
Mogadishu, Somalia (HOL) - The Somali military chief of staff General Dahir Aden Elmi (Indhaqarsho) has narrowly escaped a landmine blast which targeted his convoy while on his way to his office early Wednesday morning.
According to an eye witness account, General Elmi’s convoy was travelling along the high industrial road north west of the capital, when the mine went off wounding several soldiers.
Military sources said that General Elmi was travelling in his bullet-proof land cruiser escaped from the attack unhurt, but two cars in his convoy were destroyed.
In the immediate aftermath of the attack, police conducted a security sweep and arrested nearly 30 individuals.
No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack, but Al Shabab militants have previously claimed responsibility for such attacks against Somali government officials and AU troops in the country and this week have vowed to step up the attacks aimed at politicians.
Wednesday’s assassination attempt comes several days after Al Shabab fighters attacked Somali parliament building in the centre of the capital Mogadishu and fought with government forces for nearly 5 hours.
HOL English News Desk