Four killed as Al-Shabaab targets former lawmaker in Mogadishu

MOGADISHU, Somalia - A former lawmaker survived a blast on Saturday morning in Mogadishu, the Somali capital, it has emerged, as the country tries to defeat the militants, who still control huge sections of rural central and southern Somalia, despite efforts to completely crush them.

Muhudin Hassan Afrah survived an Improvised Explosive Device [IED] in Shibis District of Mogadishu after his vehicle was targeted by the militants, whose presence in the capital has increased in recent weeks despite heightened security.

Witnesses say at least four soldiers were killed in the attack. Reports say Afrah was injured in the explosion that ripped through his car and has since been rushed to the hospital where he's currently undergoing treatment.

It's the second bomb attack aimed to assassinate the ex-MP, who is a staunch supporter of Somali President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo in less than two months.

It's not immediately clear why the militants targeted the former lawmaker but it's their habit to inflict violence against security forces, senior government officials, and even innocent civilians. The militants are fighting to topple the fragile UN-backed Somalia administration.

The Somali capital is under AMISOM security forces and there is also a heavy presence of the Somali National Army [SNA] who might take over security responsibilities in the country once the foreign troops completely withdraw from the country.

Elsewhere at least one Puntland soldier was killed on Friday and three, including two soldiers hurt in the Galkayo grenade attack according to the police from the northern region. There is no group that has taken responsibility for the attack but the raids are synonymous with the Al-Shabaab.

Somalia has recorded several cases of Al-Shabaab raids this year even with the impending elections in the country. The Al-Shabaab controls large swathes of rural central and southern Somalia, but there have been significant efforts to degrade the group.

GAROWE ONLINE