Beledweyne,(insidesomalia.org)- A leading clan elder in Somalia has been shot dead has been shot dead in Beledweyne town Central Somalia on Tuesday, according to eyewitnesses and officials.

Da’ar Hersi Hoshow the chairman of Hiran region elders was shot twice in the head by three men armed with pistols inside the exchange market in Beledweyne town on Tuesday , according to eyewitnesses said.

"One of the bullets penetrated through his head," eyewitness Hassan Abdi said. "He was shot as he walked in the market. We don't know why they killed him, he was peace elder.

He was a negotiator for the withdrawal of the Ethiopian troops and to prevent the town from being war-zone.

"Hoshow was a peace-loving elder. We will badly miss him. His death will negatively impact us," elder Hassan Gheddi told Shabelle. "This is a big blow to peace."

Local residents have said that this was the first time a senior clan elder had been killed in living memory.

Hiran region has been a scene of clashes between Islamist fighters and the Ethiopian troops those pulled out from the town some weeks ago.

Source: Shabelle Media Network