Bomb Attack
Al Shabaab militants launched a bomb attack on Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s motorcade as it traveled through the capital, Mogadishu, on Tuesday, the group claimed in a statement. The targeted convoy was reportedly en route from the presidential palace to the airport when the attack occurred.
Despite the attempted assassination, senior government and military officials confirmed that President Mohamud was unharmed. Presidential adviser Zakariye Hussein reassured the public through a post on X, stating that the president was “good and well on his way to the front lines.”
Eyewitnesses, including soldiers and local residents, corroborated that the president’s convoy had been struck in the attack. A Reuters journalist present at the scene reported that at least four people had been killed in the assault near the presidential palace, though the identities of the victims were not immediately disclosed.
In a statement shared via their Telegram channel, the al Qaeda-affiliated group al Shabaab claimed responsibility for the bombing. “Our fighters targeted a convoy of vehicles carrying Hassan Sheikh Mohamud as they were leaving the presidential palace and heading to the airport,” the group declared.
Al Shabaab has been engaged in a long-standing insurgency against the Somali government, regularly carrying out attacks aimed at destabilizing the administration.
However, Tuesday’s bombing was particularly significant as it marked the first direct attempt on President Mohamud’s life since 2014. During his first term in office, militants had targeted him in a hotel bombing while he was delivering a speech.
Despite the attack, Mohamud continued with his plans to visit frontline troops. Hours after the incident, Somali state media released images showing the president in the Adan Yabal district, located in the Middle Shabelle region.
The area has been the site of intense fighting as government forces combat a renewed al Shabaab offensive that has persisted for over three weeks.
The assassination attempt highlights the ongoing security challenges Somalia faces as it battles the militant insurgency. While government forces, with the support of international partners, have made gains against al Shabaab in recent years, the group remains a formidable threat.
The attack on Mohamud’s convoy underscores the militants’ continued ability to strike high-profile targets despite military operations aimed at weakening their hold in various regions.
With Somalia’s leadership undeterred, the government is expected to intensify its military campaign against al Shabaab, particularly in conflict zones like Middle Shabelle. However, Tuesday’s attack serves as a stark reminder of the dangers that persist and the resilience of a terrorist group that continues to challenge Somalia’s stability.
