Six Military Officers, Among Senior Generals Killed in Central Somalia

Somalia

MOGADISHU (Somaliguardian) – Six Somali military officers, among senior generals were killed in central Somalia after gunmen ambushed them while returning from a training workshop on Wednesday, army officials said.

The officers were returning from the town of Guriel in the central Somalia region of Galgadud, heading to Balanballe in the same region. Of them were three senior generals, who were among top commanders of the Somali army’s 21st division.

Galmudug regional officials said local police have established an investigation into the “brutal attack” and a number of military officers have been extricated from scene of the ambush.

At least two military officers are still missing, though regional authorities say a manhunt operation is underway to arrest perpetrators of the assault.

The motive behind the ambush has not been immediately clear, but local sources told Somaliguardian that it was related to a clan vendetta.

Bodies of the six military officers have been brought in the town of Balanballe on Somalia’s border with Ethiopia, where a funeral for the late army officials is expected to be held late on Thursday.

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