HARGEISA, Somalia (AP) — A bodyguard of Somalia’s army chief says his boss has escaped an assassination attempt in the capital.
A land mine targeted a convoy carrying Lt. Gen. Mohamed Gele Kahiye, but it went off Thursday as the minister’s car passed. Ahmed Dhay says two bodyguards in the car behind the minister’s died, and six others were wounded.
The Islamists may have targeted Kahiye because of his role in preparing the army for an upcoming battle aimed at retaking the capital. Kahiye took on the post last month.
Islamists are known to target officials whenever they sense the government is preparing for an attack.
Last June, insurgents killed National Security Minister Omar Hashi Aden in a suicide bombing as he held a meeting with local officials in western Somalia.