Somalia: Six tribal elders killed over clan feud near Mogadishu

MOGADISHU, Somalia - At least six clan elders were reported to have been killed on Tuesday noon in an attack near Somalia's capital, Mogadishu, Garowe Online reports.

A witness, who spoke to Garowe Online on the phone said several masked men brandishing AK-47 assault rifles waylaid a vehicle carrying the elders in Lafole suburb and subsequently shot them dead.

Lafole lies approximately 15 kilometers [9 miles] west of Mogadishu.

It's yet unclear the motive behind the random execution of six men, but, local residents said the tragic incident is related to recent clan-based fighting in Wanlaweyn district in Lower Shabelle province.

Three from the same family were among the dead. The cab was traveling from Afgoye and en route to Mogadishu at the time of the attack, according to the witness, who asked to remain anonymous.

Meanwhile, the local authorities said an investigation was underway as the government security forces are hunting down the culprits who had escaped the scene immediately after the shooting of the elders.

The region has been beset by recurrent inter-clan clashes in the past 15 years as rival tribes fighting for control of the strategic port city of Marka, with Al-Shabaab battling against Somali and AU troops. 

GROWE ONLINE