Al Shabaab militants targeted President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s convoy in Mogadishu on Tuesday, but the president emerged unharmed. The attack resulted in four fatalities and marks the first direct assault on Mohamud since 2014. Following the incident, the president visited active military engagements against Al Shabaab.
On Tuesday, Al Shabaab militants launched a bomb attack targeting Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud in his motorcade while it was traversing through Mogadishu. According to the Islamist group, the assault occurred as the convoy was leaving the presidential palace.
Officials from the government and military confirmed the president’s safety post-attack. Presidential adviser Zakariye Hussein stated on X that Mohamud is “good and well on his way to the front lines.” Eyewitness accounts from soldiers and local residents corroborated reports of the attack, with a Reuters journalist observing four fatalities near the scene.
Al Shabaab claimed responsibility for the attack, stating it specifically aimed at Mohamud’s convoy. This incident marks the first direct attack on the president since 2014, during his previous term, when militants targeted a hotel where he was delivering a speech.
Following the attack, state media reported images of the president visiting the Adan Yabal district. Government forces are currently engaged in a three-week offensive against Al Shabaab in this region, reflecting the ongoing struggle between the militant group and the Somali government.
This incident underscores the persistent threat posed by Al Shabaab to Somalia’s government, particularly following a significant assault on President Mohamud. Despite the attack, the president remains unharmed and continues to engage with military operations against the militants. The resilience demonstrated by Somali authorities is pivotal in the ongoing conflict.
Original Source: www.usnews.com
