Sunday June 11, 2023
Mogadishu (HOL) - A Somali intelligence officer was killed in an explosion from an improvised explosive device (IED) fitted to his car, while three of his security guards were wounded in Merca town, located in the Lower Shabelle region, on Saturday night.
The officer who lost his life in the blast was identified as Hassan Osman Ali Bitoni, also known as Commander Kush Gale. He was reportedly the brother of Mohamed Osman Ali Yarisow, the former commissioner of Merca district.
Although no group has claimed responsibility for the attack, it is common for al Shabab to claim such attacks against government security forces.
The district commissioner has refrained from commenting on the incident, but security operations are currently underway throughout the district.