A roadside bomb targeted President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s convoy near the presidential palace in Mogadishu on Tuesday. The attack, attributed to al-Shabab, resulted in casualties as reported by witnesses. Fortunately, the President remained unharmed. Al-Shabab continues to pose a significant threat to government personnel despite military operations against them.
On Tuesday, a roadside bomb detonated near Somalia’s presidential palace in Mogadishu, reportedly targeting the presidential convoy. The Information Ministry described the attack as a “cowardly act of desperation” attributed to the militant group al-Shabab, which has claimed responsibility. While the exact death toll remains unconfirmed, witnesses reported seeing multiple bodies at the scene. Fortunately, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud was unharmed during the incident.
Al-Shabab, a group opposing Somalia’s federal government, regularly conducts bombings and assaults aimed at government officials and military forces in the region. They maintain control over portions of rural Somalia and present a considerable threat despite ongoing military efforts by Somali troops and African Union peacekeepers. The bombing occurred shortly after President Mohamud’s convoy left the palace for the airport, where he intended to supervise military operations in the Middle Shabelle region against the militant group.
Eyewitnesses have recounted disturbing scenes following the detonation. Ayub Osman remarked upon seeing “three people lying on the ground, motionless, covered in dust and debris.” Another local resident, Hassan Nur, noted his observation of two bodies at the site, indicating the tragic aftermath of the incident.
The attempted attack on President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s convoy underscores the ongoing threat posed by al-Shabab, particularly in urban areas such as Mogadishu. Although the President escaped unharmed, the incident highlights the persistent volatility in Somalia, as well as the challenges faced by the government in ensuring security against militant insurgents. Eyewitness accounts reveal the tragic human cost associated with such attacks, further emphasizing the urgent need for enhanced security measures.
Original Source: www.startribune.com
