Al Shabaab Targets Somalia’s President in Bomb Attack; He Remains Safe

Al Shabaab militants targeted Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud in a bomb attack on Tuesday while he was traveling through Mogadishu. The President was unharmed, confirmed by officials. Witnesses reported four fatalities near the presidential palace, marking the first direct attack on Mohamud by Al Shabaab since 2014. Following the incident, the President was seen in an active conflict area against the group.

On Tuesday, Al Shabaab militants executed a bomb attack targeting the motorcade of Somalia’s President, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, in the capital city of Mogadishu. The Islamist group claimed responsibility for the attack as the convoy was en route from the presidential palace to the airport. Fortunately, President Mohamud emerged unscathed from the incident, confirmed by two senior officials and a social media post from his adviser, Zakariye Hussein.

Witness accounts from soldiers and local residents corroborated that the president’s convoy had been struck. Tragically, a Reuters journalist reported witnessing the aftermath, with four individuals killed in the assault near the vicinity of the presidential palace. Al Shabaab announced via a statement on their Telegram channel, asserting, “Our fighters targeted a convoy of vehicles carrying Hassan Sheikh Mohamud as they were leaving the presidential palace and heading to the airport.”

Historically, Al Shabaab conducts assaults regularly as part of a long-standing effort to destabilize the Somali government. This particular attack marked the first direct target against President Mohamud since 2014, during his prior term when his speaking engagement at a hotel was bombed. Following the recent attack, state media showcased images of President Mohamud visiting the Adan Yabal district, where government troops are currently engaged in combat against a surge of Al Shabaab offensives.

In summary, while Al Shabaab attempted a significant attack on President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s motorcade, he fortunately remained unharmed. The incident highlights the ongoing threat posed by the militant group, which has a history of targeting government figures. As contributing factors to national security, the reactions of government officials and the President’s subsequent activities reflect the resilience amid persistent violence in Somalia.

Original Source: www.usnews.com