Mogadishu (SD) – Al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for attack on Afrik Hotel in Mogadishu, adding they have been searching for General Mohamed Nur Galaal for 13 years.

Al-Shabaab militants claimed their attack killed 23 people and wounded 40 others.

“Galaal has long been a man of committed and trained in the fight against Islamic Sharia law, he used his knowledge and military intelligence to fight the Mujahidin.’ Al Shabaab said in a released statement.

Al-Shabaab also said in their statement that Galaal was involved in the killing of Hashi Ayrow.

“ He was involved in a number of atrocities committed by infidels against the Mujahidin, among them was Moalim Adan Hashi Ayrow, who was martyred in a US airstrike in Dhusamareb in May 2008. ” Al-Shabaab said in a statement.

They also claimed that Gen. Galaal was instrumental in mobilizing Ahlu Sunna forces to fight their fighters in central Somalia.

General Mohamed Nur Galaal was one of the most influential Somalia military officers in the Somali National Army and played a key role in building and strengthening the Armed Forces in various capacities.