WANLAWEYN, Somalia [SMN] – Reports from the Lower Shabelle region say that the Deputy Commissioner for Social Affairs of Wanlaweyn district Hashim Mohamed Hassan has been assassinated.
Armed men blocked the official’s car which was passing through Buulo Hashi, about 25 km east of Wanlaweyn district, and opened fire on it, according to people in the town.
The motive behind the murder has not yet been revealed, but Wanlaweyn and the surrounding villages have been hit by communal fighting in recent times.
And this could be attributed to the latest incident that claimed the life of Hassan.
Lower Shabelle conflict
Inter-clan clashes over the last week in Barawe have killed approximately 10 and have forced many to flee their houses in the coastal city, according to the local authorities.
The fighting has affected business. Most people are staying indoors and businesses are closed in fear of renewed clashes.
There are calls by members of parliament for the removal of SNA soliers from the town.
Tensions have been rising between rival clans who are competing for control of the fertile region, where Somali army along with AU and US troops are battling against Al-Shabaab.
This comes as AU and the Somalia National Army pushed to drive Islamist group Al-Shabab out of villages and towns in the region during joint operations.
