MOGADISHU (Somaliguardian) – Somalia’s Galmudug regional leader Ahmed Qoorqoor’s plane was fired on as it took off on Monday from an airport in the town of Dhusamareb, local officials said.
Mr Qoorqoor arrived safely in the Somali capital, Mogadishu, where he is expected to meet with senior government officials on key issues. Galmudug regional officials said the attack caused no harm to president and his delegation comprising MPs and regional ministers.
Al-Qaeda-linked Al-Shabaab militant group says it was behind the attack aimed to kill the regional leader. It comes just hours after militants shelled the same airport home to AMISOM troops on Sunday night.
Regional officials who spoke to Somaliguardian on the condition of anonymity disclosed that militants used anti-aircraft fire in the unsuccessful attempt on Qoorqoor’s life.
This is the first assassination attempt Mr Qoorqoor has survived since he came to office in February this year despite growing militant attacks in Galmudug State. Journalists in the region say jihadists are going all out to regain control of Dhusamareb as they encroach on the strategic city in central Somalia.
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