Ex Somali MP escapes car bomb assassination attempt

A former Somali Member of Parliament (MP), Yusuf Aynte, survived an assassination attempt on Saturday evening when bombs fitted into his car exploded in the capital, Mogadishu.

The ex MP was not close to his vehicle when the explosion occured near the Wehliye hotel, thus escaping the attempt.

Local media and some influential journalists however reported that the Somali Intelligence Agency had found the car packed with explosives.

Former #Somalia MP Yusuf Aynte survives assassination attempt after bomb fitted into his car exploded in #Mogadishu pic.twitter.com/x6puq7kaAo

— Live From Mogadishu (@Daudoo) July 23, 2016

It is not clear which group launched the attack on the former legislator who is also a respected Islamic scholar. The country is however battling militant group Al Shabaab who have been staging similar attacks.

The last attack by the group was late last month when the militants stormed a hotel in the capital killing 15 people according to the police. Among the dead was Somalia’s Minister of State for Environment Buri M. Hamza.

The police further disclosed that the attack started with a suicide bomb and was followed by exchange of gunfire.

The group has been exchanging fire with Somali forces and also the African Union force in the country (AMISOM).