Authorities in Mogadishu say unidentified gunmen fatally shot a Somali lawmaker Saturday as he left a mosque in the capital.
Colleagues and witnesses say Mustafa Mohamed Abdullahi was shot several times and died en route to a local hospital. The gunmen escaped. There has been no claim of responsibility.
The lawmaker was identified as the father-in-law of former President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, who left office earlier this month. His successor, incoming President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, escaped injury September 12, after three suicide bombers targeted a Mogadishu hotel where he was speaking.
The militant group al-Shabab claimed responsibility for that attack, and for a double suicide attack Thursday that killed at least 15 people at an upscale Mogadishu restaurant.
The al-Qaida-linked al-Shabab controlled part of the capital until last year, when it was driven out by Somali and African Union forces. But the militants continue to launch assaults in the city, using hit-and-run tactics.
Colleagues and witnesses say Mustafa Mohamed Abdullahi was shot several times and died en route to a local hospital. The gunmen escaped. There has been no claim of responsibility.
The lawmaker was identified as the father-in-law of former President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, who left office earlier this month. His successor, incoming President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, escaped injury September 12, after three suicide bombers targeted a Mogadishu hotel where he was speaking.
Al-Shabab Timeline
Al-Shabab Timeline
2006: Launches insurgency to topple Somali government, impose Islamic law
2008: U.S. declares al-Shabab a foreign terrorist organization
2009: Seizes control of parts of Mogadishu, Kismayo
2010: Expands control across central and southern Somalia; carries out deadly bombings in Kampala, Uganda in first attack outside Somali
2011: Blocks drought/famine aid from areas under its control
2011: East African leaders declare al-Shabab a regional threat, Ethiopian, Kenyan troops enter Somalia to pursue the group, which is driven out of Mogadishu
2012: Declares itself an al-Qaida ally, loses ground in Somalia, troops advance on the group's stronghold Kismayo
The al-Qaida-linked al-Shabab controlled part of the capital until last year, when it was driven out by Somali and African Union forces. But the militants continue to launch assaults in the city, using hit-and-run tactics.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP.