Somalia army chief escapes car bomb; senior commander killed

The Somalia-based terrorist group Al-Shabaab has said it killed at least 47 soldiers in the simultaneous assaults on the two newly liberated areas in Lower Shabelle, the most militarized region in Somalia.

News Keydmedia Online
3 April 2021

MOGADISHU, Somalia – The commanding chief of the Somali military General Odowa Yusuf Rage survived a suicide car bomb attack on Saturday morning near the country’s capital, Mogadishu, police say.

Rage, the youngest general to lead the Somali army in history has escaped unharmed from the suicide car bombing which took place in Lafoole area, located on the main Mogadishu-Afgoye corridor.

He was traveling in a convoy with senior military officials and soldiers left the capital for Barire and Awdhegle as reinforcement following deadly Al-Shabaab attacks on army bases late last night, the worst raid on SNA since capturing the strategic areas in 2020.

A huge cloud of smoke billowed over the scene and heavy gunfire was heard.

The Somalia-based terrorist group Al-Shabaab has said it killed at least 47 soldiers in the simultaneous assaults on the two newly liberated areas in Lower Shabelle, the most militarized region in Somalia.

The dead include colonel Abdirashid Mohamed, who was a senior SNA commander in charge of Barire, located about 60 kilometers southwest of the Somali capital, Mogadishu.

The attack comes as Somali political leaders – the five federal states and outgoing leader Farmajo are holding a meeting in Mogadishu to resolve the electoral crisis in the country amid international pressure.

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