Colonel Nur Mohamed Gabow, Commander of the 14th October Division, was killed by a fellow soldier near Afgoye town, about 30 km southwest of Mogadishu.
Gabow was delivering a speech to newly deployed troops when a soldier opened fire, killing him, according to witnesses.
They said the shooter was also killed at the scene.The motive behind the shooting remains unclear.
Reliable sources say an investigation is underway to determine what led to the shooting.
Somali military has yet to issue an official statement regarding Gabow’s death.
Gabow was a young, active officer with military expertise, having undergone several training programs abroad, including in Italy.
He was among the senior officers who led the recapture of Awdhegle, Sabid, and Canole in the Lower Shabelle region from Al-Shabaab’s control.
The killing has raised questions about the motive and the shooter’s identity with the Somali military expected to provide answers.
This came weeks after Al-Shabaab militants intensified attacks on army bases in the region following their recent capture of Awdhegle town.
