UPDATE - Gunmen kill Puntland presidential director in Somalia

UPDATES WITH AL-SHABAAB CLAIMING RESPONSIBILITY FOR ATTACK

By Mohammed Adam Mo'alim

MOGADISHU, Somalia (AA) - Somalis autonomous region of Puntland presidential palace director Adan Gus, was shot dead by gunmen in port city of Bosaso on Tuesday evening.

Adan Gus was shot dead in front of Public Hotel in Bosaso, the commercial city of Puntland.

Abdullah Ahmed Jama, Puntland state spokesman confirmed to Anadolu Agency over the phone that the director was killed by unknown gunmen.

"Our director Adan Gus was seriously wounded by gunmen and he later died in hospital. We are investigating this incident. Our police conducted a security operation," Jama said.

Khalid Amin, an eyewitness in Bosaso, told Anadolu Agency that the gunmen escaped from the scene.

"I was near the hotel when the shooting took place. The director was shot and killed by three gunmen who escaped from the scene," Amin said.

"Adan Gus was a close friend of Puntland President Abdiwali Mohamed Ali," he added.

Al-shabaab claimed responsibility for the attack later on Tuesday.

This attack comes days after the third deputy chief of Puntland police was killed in the same town. Al-shabaab also claimed responsibility for the chief's killing.

In late November, Puntland recaptured the ancient town of Qandala, from the pro-daesh Somali militant group.