Ali Said
Encyclopedia
Ali Sa'id Sheik Hassan, also referred to as Ali Sa'id Hassan Awale and Ali Said (died 17 June 2009), was the chief of police
of Mogadishu
and a commander of security forces during the war in Somalia
, in which he was killed by sniper
fire in June 2009. He had been the Mogadishu chief of the Somali Police Force
for roughly two years, prior to being shot by "Islamist forces" in Mogadishu's Hadan district during the Battle of Mogadishu (2009)
. The BBC
reported that the police chief's death would be "a significant setback for the pro-government forces as he had often been on the front line encouraging his colleagues to defend their positions". The New York Times reported Somali analysts stating that "the loss of the police chief, Col. Ali Said, would be a major blow to the transitional government led by Sheik Sharif Sheik Ahmed." Ali Said had survived an earlier assassination attempts in 2007.
Chief of police
A Chief of Police is the title typically given to the top official in the chain of command of a police department, particularly in North America. Alternate titles for this position include Commissioner, Superintendent, and Chief constable...
of Mogadishu
Mogadishu
Mogadishu , popularly known as Xamar, is the largest city in Somalia and the nation's capital. Located in the coastal Benadir region on the Indian Ocean, the city has served as an important port for centuries....
and a commander of security forces during the war in Somalia
War in Somalia (2009–)
The 2009–present phase of the Somali Civil War is concentrated in southern Somalia. It began in early February 2009, with the conflict between, on the one hand, the forces of the Somali Transitional Federal Government assisted by African Union peacekeeping troops, and on the other, various militant...
, in which he was killed by sniper
Sniper
A sniper is a marksman who shoots targets from concealed positions or distances exceeding the capabilities of regular personnel. Snipers typically have specialized training and distinct high-precision rifles....
fire in June 2009. He had been the Mogadishu chief of the Somali Police Force
Somali Police Force
The Somali Police Force is the national police force and the main civil law enforcement agency of Somalia.-History:In 1960, the British Somaliland Scouts joined with the Police Corps of Somalia to form a new Somali Police Force, which consisted of about 3,700 men...
for roughly two years, prior to being shot by "Islamist forces" in Mogadishu's Hadan district during the Battle of Mogadishu (2009)
Battle of Mogadishu (2009)
The Battle of Mogadishu started with an Islamist offensive, when rebels from al-Shabaab and Hizbul Islam attacked and captured government bases in the capital of Mogadishu, the fighting soon spread causing hundreds of casualties. It ended up becoming the largest battle in Mogadishu since the...
. The BBC
BBC News
BBC News is the department of the British Broadcasting Corporation responsible for the gathering and broadcasting of news and current affairs. The department is the world's largest broadcast news organisation and generates about 120 hours of radio and television output each day, as well as online...
reported that the police chief's death would be "a significant setback for the pro-government forces as he had often been on the front line encouraging his colleagues to defend their positions". The New York Times reported Somali analysts stating that "the loss of the police chief, Col. Ali Said, would be a major blow to the transitional government led by Sheik Sharif Sheik Ahmed." Ali Said had survived an earlier assassination attempts in 2007.