Al-shabaab admits targeting Gen Galal in Hotel AFRIK attack

MOGADISHU, Somalia | Somalia-based Al-shabaab militants have for the first time revealed that the Saturday attack at the Hotel AFRIK was targeting retired General Mohamed Nur Galal, who died in the attack that left a total of nine people dead and several others critically injured. 

In a statement, the Al-shabaab militants accused the slain former military boss of being involved in the killing of former operative Aden Ayrow who was killed in a US coordinated airstrike in 2008. However, the Al-shabaab did not provide evidence to back their claims. 

General Galal was in the hotel which is part of his investment when the militants detonated a bomb outside before firing indiscriminately, killing a total of five people during the attack. Four militants who participated in the attack were also killed on the spot. 

Meanwhile, a local TV is reported that General Galal may have killed two of the militants who entered his room at Afrik Hotel. It’s believed that the bodies of two Al-Shabaab militants were found in his room, indicating that he may have shot them when they ambushed him. 

The slain retired army General Mohamed Nur Galal was buried on Sunday night in the town of Guriceel in Galmudug administration. Federal MP Mahad Salad and local officials attended the funeral where they condemned the killing of the former army general.  

The Al-shabaab militants have often targeted security forces, senior government officials and innocent civilians in their attacks across the country. However, the militants have considerably lost ground in several parts of central and southern Somalia where they used to have absolute control. 

GAROWE ONLINE