Al-Shabaab detonated a bomb on the route of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s convoy in Mogadishu, causing destruction and injuries. Despite this incident, the president remains secure, and he has pledged a comprehensive offensive against the group. The attack follows a violent hotel siege by Al-Shabaab, reinforcing the ongoing threat they present to Somalia’s stability and security.
On Tuesday, Al-Shabaab detonated a bomb in Mogadishu shortly after a presidential convoy passed, resulting in the destruction of a building and damage to several vehicles. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud was en route to Hirshabelle state as the army prepares for a significant offensive against the group. A security official explained that the explosion occurred in the Hamar-Jajab area, targeting a civilian-populated structure.
Witness Nurto Ali recounted the incident, stating, “The convoy of the president passed… and we heard a very heavy explosion,” noting that some casualties were buried under the debris. Somali national security advisor Hussein Sheikh Ali reassured the public via X, affirming the president’s safety and asserting that “the nation cannot be intimidated.”
Another witness, Farhan Abdullahi, reported multiple injuries among passengers in a vehicle affected by the blast. Al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for this attack, following a recent hotel assault by the group in central Somalia that resulted in nine fatalities. Despite being ousted from Mogadishu by African Union forces in 2011, Al-Shabaab remains active in rural areas, persistently threatening the federal government.
Somalia’s president has vowed to pursue a total war against Al-Shabaab, with the army collaborating with local militias in a military offensive bolstered by African Union support and U.S. air strikes.
The recent bombing by Al-Shabaab in Mogadishu highlights the ongoing threat the group poses to Somalia’s stability and government. Although President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud remains unharmed, the incident underscores the challenges the Somali government faces as it conducts military campaigns against these militants. Continued efforts in collaboration with international forces are essential to combat Al-Shabaab effectively.
Original Source: www.thenews.com.pk
