Hiran, (insidesomalia.org)-Armed men have assassinated head of CRD for central regions in Somalia Eng. Mohamed Hassan Kulmiye. The assassination took place near his house in the central city of Beletweyne of Hiiraan region.

An eye witness who was with the deceased at the time of the shooting told HOL that two men armed with handguns came to the deceased an opened fire shooting him in the head and chest and then escaped.

Mr. Kulmiye was well-known in the Hiiraan region as well as in most of Somalia’s central regions for his efforts in peace and reconciliation among Somalis. After the word about his assassination spread among people, many people who looked sad gathered in his house and talked about his efforts in peace and reconciliation.

The men who killed Mr. Kulmiye also killed also a young man who was at the Liiqliiqato Bridge that links the east and west sides of the city on a suspicion that he knew them.

The assassination of Mr. Kulmiye comes in less than 24 hours after armed men killed another man who used to belong to the Somali Armed Forces. It reported that the man’s name was Col. Hassan Bayr.

The tension in the city is high and one can see groups of people throughout the city talking about these recent killings. Of particular concern to the people in the city is the killing of the head of CRD which they see as a well planned and executed operation.

So far there is no response from the regional administration with regards to these recent killings although the governor of the region Mr. Mohamed Ahmed Dhagweyne has said that there are operations in certain parts of the city aimed at combating those who are creating insecurity. There are not, however, observable operations in the city with the exception of statements the administration is making through the media