Al Shabaab Targets Somalia’s President in Bomb Attack on Motorcade

Al Shabaab militants targeted Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud in a bomb attack on his motorcade in Mogadishu. The President reportedly was unharmed, while four individuals were killed. This incident is the first direct assault on him since 2014, continuing a trend of violence by the extremist group against the government.

Today, militants from Al Shabaab executed a bomb attack targeting Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud while he was traveling in his motorcade through Mogadishu. The extremist group publicly claimed responsibility for this act of violence. Fortunately, two high-ranking government and military officials confirmed to Reuters that President Mohamud emerged unscathed from the incident.

Presidential adviser Zakariye Hussein reassured the public via X, stating that the president was “good and well on his way to the front lines.” Eyewitness accounts, including those from military personnel and local civilians, indicated that the attack occurred as the convoy was leaving the presidential palace. Associated reports mention that four individuals tragically lost their lives during the event, with a journalist from Reuters observing the aftermath firsthand.

In a statement posted on their Telegram channel, Al Shabaab declared, “Our fighters targeted a convoy of vehicles carrying Hassan Sheikh Mohamud as they were leaving the presidential palace and heading to the airport.” This attack is particularly notable as it represents the first direct assault on President Mohamud since 2014, when a hotel he was addressing was bombed.

Following the attack, state media showcased images of President Mohamud in the Adan Yabal district within Somalia’s Middle Shabelle region, where government forces are currently engaged in ongoing combat against a protracted Al Shabaab offensive that has lasted for three weeks.

In summary, the bomb attack targeting President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud today highlights the persistent threats posed by Al Shabaab in Somalia. While the President was unharmed, the incident resulted in the tragic loss of four lives. This marks a significant moment, as it is the first assault on Mohamud since 2014, underlining the continuing challenges faced by the Somali government in combating extremist violence.

Original Source: en.royanews.tv