A roadside bomb targeted President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s convoy near the presidential palace in Mogadishu on Tuesday. Al-Shabab claimed responsibility, calling it a ‘cowardly act of desperation.’ Although no official death toll was reported, witnesses indicated multiple casualties while the president was unharmed. Al-Shabab continues to challenge the Somali government despite military efforts against them.
On Tuesday, a roadside bomb exploded in close proximity to Somalia’s presidential palace in Mogadishu, targeting the convoy of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. The assault was officially described by the Information Ministry as a “cowardly act of desperation” by the militant group al-Shabab, which claimed responsibility for the attack. While no official casualty figures were provided, a witness reported seeing three bodies at the scene, although others claimed to see fewer. The president was unharmed during the incident.
Al-Shabab, which opposes the Somali federal government, is notorious for conducting bombings and assaults aimed at government officials and military personnel. The group maintains control over certain rural areas in Somalia and remains a significant threat, despite ongoing military operations by Somali forces and African Union peacekeepers. This explosion occurred just after President Mohamud had left the palace in a convoy en route to the main airport.
The president was traveling to Middle Shabelle in southern Somalia to oversee military operations against al-Shabab militants. The group confirmed its involvement in the attack via a website associated with them. Witnesses at the scene described the aftermath, with one individual, Ayub Osman, noting he observed three motionless bodies, covered in dust and debris. Another witness, Hassan Nur, reported seeing two bodies nearby.
The bombing incident in Mogadishu underscores the ongoing threats posed by al-Shabab to Somalia’s leadership and stability. While the president remained unharmed, the attack highlights the persistent danger that militant groups pose to government officials, even in secure areas. Al-Shabab’s capacity for carrying out such attacks reveals the challenges facing Somalia’s federal government amid its struggle to restore order and security.
Original Source: www.startribune.com
