By Hassan Istiila

MOGADISHU, Somalia

The governor of central Galgaduud region and his brother were gunned down in Mogadishu’s Yaaqshid district Friday night, according to an eyewitness and a militant group.

Governor Mohamed Ali Elmi and his brother Hassan Noor were visiting relatives when gunmen shot them, eyewitness Mohamed Ali told Anadolu Agency.

The al-Shabaab claimed the attack in a statement posted on a website affiliated with the armed group, saying the incident took place in Arafat village in the district.

Regional state MPs strongly condemned the killings.

Also, armed men killed a prominent regional elder identified as Gedi Firdhiye in Mogadishu’s Dharkenley district on Friday night, a security official in the district said on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on talking to the media.