Somali regional governor escapes assassination in Mogadishu

December 12, 2007 (MOGADISHU) — The Governor of Somalia’s central region of Hiran, Yusuf Ahmed, escaped an attempt on his life on Wednesday after a roadside bomb targeted a vehicle of the governor exploded, the local Simba Radio in Mogadishu reported.

Ahmed was attacked as his car was passing through a street in Beledweyn, the provincial capital of Hiran, 300 km north of Mogadishu.

Two people, a soldier and a civilian, were wounded, in the explosion with which troops responded by firing a barrage of gunfire, sources in the area told Xinhua.

This is the second assassination attempt since Ahmed was reappointed Governor of Hiran early this year.

No one has claimed responsibility for the latest attack on the governor.

(Xinhua)