A senior Somali military commander was shot and killed on Saturday by one of his own soldiers near the frontlines of the fight against the Al-Shabaab militant group.
Colonel Abdirahman Hujale, who led the SNA’s 26th Brigade, was reportedly killed near Mubah area along the border between Middle Shabelle and Hiran regions.
Reliable sources say Hujale was fatally shot with a DShK heavy machine gun. He died instantly at the scene.
The incident occurred as Somali forces were regrouping following heavy clashes with Al-Shabaab militants in the area.
It remains unclear whether the soldier responsible for the shooting was arrested or killed in the aftermath.
Somali military has not yet issued an official statement over Hujale’s death.
Last month, Colonel Nur Farey was shot dead by a man in military uniform near Afgoye, about 30 km from the capital, Mogadishu.
