Somali president's nephew killed in al-Shabab attack

Image copyrightReuters

Image captionThe government of Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud is fighting al-Shabab

The nephew of Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has been shot dead in the capital, Mogadishu.

Gunmen opened fire on Dr Liban Osman's vehicle as it was travelling through the city's Wadajir neighbourhood early on Wednesday.

Both Dr Osman, who reportedly worked as a doctor at the presidential palace, and another man, thought to be a lawyer, died in the attack.

Islamist militant group al-Shabab has said it was behind the killings.

Image copyrightUPDATED SEPTEMBER 2015

Attacks targeting professionals have been increasing in recent months in the capital, BBC Somali's Kati Isse says.

Incidents like these could discourage professionals from the diaspora from returning to work in their home countries, she adds.

Al-Shabab was forced out of Mogadishu by African Union (AU) and government forces in August 2011 and left the vital port of Kismayo in September 2012.

Although the AU forces are trying to squeeze al-Shabab further, the group is still able to carry out attacks in Mogadishu and elsewhere.