Galkayo (KAAB TV) – A prominent businessman, Siad Ali Hirsi, was shot and killed early this morning by unidentified gunmen in the city of Galkayo, located in the Mudug region of central Somalia.
Siad Ali Hirsi, widely recognized as one of the most influential and respected businessmen in the region, was gunned down in what appears to be a targeted attack. The shooting took place in one of the city’s increasingly volatile neighborhoods, where inter-clan tensions have been on the rise in recent weeks.
Sources indicate that the killing is linked to the ongoing conflict between two rival clans, whose members have been clashing in the Horumar neighborhood. This area was the scene of a violent altercation just days ago, which resulted in the deaths of two individuals. Siad Ali Hirsi was reportedly from one of the communities involved in that confrontation.
During the attack, a woman who happened to be nearby sustained injuries, highlighting the broader risk that civilians face amid the escalating violence. The assailant fled the scene before security forces arrived. Authorities have since launched an investigation, but no arrests have been reported at the time of this publication.
Residents say the situation in North Galkayo has deteriorated significantly, with targeted killings becoming alarmingly common. Members of the Haldoor community, in particular, have increasingly become targets of what appears to be retaliatory clan violence.
The murder of Siad Ali Hirsi comes just days after another high-profile killing in Galkayo: Dr. Omar Abdi Dahir, a well-known medical professional, was fatally shot during clashes last week, underscoring the region’s growing instability.
Despite repeated calls for peace, the Mudug regional administration and local elders, scholars, and intellectuals have so far failed to mediate a sustainable resolution between the rival clans. As a result, the cycle of violence continues unabated, deepening fears among residents and further destabilizing the area.
Many in the community are urging the Somali federal government and international partners to intervene and help facilitate dialogue before the violence spirals further out of control.