Al Shabaab militants targeted President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud in a bomb attack on his motorcade in Mogadishu, but he remained safe. The assault marked the first direct targeting of the president since 2014. Eyewitnesses confirmed the attack resulted in four deaths. Following the incident, the president visited areas affected by ongoing fighting with Al Shabaab.
On Tuesday, Al Shabaab militants executed a bomb attack targeting the motorcade of Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud in Mogadishu. Fortunately, reports from two senior government officials confirmed that President Mohamud emerged unscathed from the incident. Presidential adviser Zakariye Hussein reassured the public via a social media post that the president was in good health and proceeding to the front lines of conflict.
Eyewitnesses, including soldiers and local residents, affirmed that the convoy was struck during the attack. A Reuters journalist present at the scene reported discovering the bodies of four victims near the presidential palace. Al Shabaab claimed responsibility through a statement on their Telegram channel, declaring that their fighters aimed at the president’s convoy while it was departing towards the airport.
This incident marks the first direct assault on President Mohamud by Al Shabaab since 2014, when a bombing occurred at a hotel where he was speaking during his initial term. In the hours following the attack, state media broadcast images of the president in the Adan Yabal district, showcasing his determination amid ongoing clashes with Al Shabaab forces.
The attempted bombing of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s convoy highlights the ongoing threats posed by Al Shabaab in Somalia. Despite the attack resulting in fatalities, President Mohamud remained unharmed and continued to engage in military efforts against the group. This incident underscores the persistent volatility in the region and the challenges faced by the Somali government.
Original Source: www.usnews.com
