Al-Shabaab detonated a bomb in Mogadishu, targeting a location after President Mohamud’s convoy passed. Despite the destruction, the president is reported safe. The incident follows a previous hotel attack and demonstrates the ongoing conflict between Al-Shabaab and the Somali government. The military is currently engaging in efforts to eliminate the group.
On Tuesday, Al-Shabaab detonated a bomb in Mogadishu, shortly after a presidential convoy passed, causing significant destruction to a building and vehicles. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud was en route to Hirshabelle state, where military operations against Al-Shabaab are anticipated. Security sources confirmed the explosion occurred in the Hamar-Jajab area, impacting a civilian structure.
Witnesses reported hearing a loud explosion as the president’s convoy moved by, with one indicating they saw a person trapped under debris. Somali national security advisor Hussein Sheikh Ali reassured the public on social media, confirming the president’s safety and emphasizing that the nation would not be intimidated by such attacks.
Numerous individuals sustained injuries from a vehicle caught in the blast. Al-Shabaab, responsible for this attack, had previously assaulted a hotel in central Somalia, resulting in nine fatalities. The group has been engaged in conflict with the federal government for over 15 years, executing numerous assaults in Mogadishu and surrounding regions despite being dislodged from the city by African Union forces in 2011.
Recently, Somalia’s president declared an all-out war against Al-Shabaab, with the military collaborating with local militias. This campaign is augmented through support from the African Union forces and airstrikes conducted by the US.
The recent bombing in Mogadishu underscores the ongoing threat posed by Al-Shabaab in Somalia. Despite being pushed from urban centers, the group continues to execute deadly attacks, highlighting the challenges facing the Somali government. With the president’s commitment to eradicate Al-Shabaab through military action involving both local and international forces, the situation remains critical as the nation grapples with security threats.
Original Source: www.thenews.com.pk
