Somalia: Ex-army general blames SNA for Gen Galal's death

MOGADISHU, Somalia | The death of former military general in Afrik Hotel in Mogadishu over the weekend continues to raise questions in Somalia, just few days after he was laid to rest in his native Galmadug region.

General Mohamed Nur Galal was among five civilians killed in the attack which Al-shabaab has already taken responsibility. The hotel was part of his investment and he's said to have loved spending his time within the building after retiring from the military.

General Yusuf Siad [Indha Adde] has however, raised questions about Galal's death, saying he believes the retired army General was killed by Somali forces during the operation to end the Al-Shabab siege at Africa Hotel in Mogadishu Jan 31, calling for a thorough investigation into the death. 

Despite raising the grave allegations, Yusuf Siad, who served with Galal in the Somali National Army [SNA], did not however, give any evidence in support of his claims. Four Al-shabaab militants were killed in the hotel, making the total number of casualties nine. 

In a statement, the Al-shabaab militants had 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 when the militants detonated a bomb outside before firing indiscriminately, killing a total of five people during the attack. The security forces rushed to the scene where they helped put to an end the siege. 

But 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.  

GAROWE ONLINE