Somali President Escapes Bomb Attack as Al Shabaab Strikes Again
Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud narrowly escaped a deadly bomb attack on his motorcade on Tuesday as Al Shabaab militants launched a brazen assault near the presidential palace in Mogadishu. The attack, which resulted in multiple fatalities, has once again underscored the persistent threat posed by the Al Qaeda-linked group.
The Islamist militant group claimed responsibility for the attack through a statement posted on its Telegram channel. “Our fighters targeted a convoy of vehicles carrying Hassan Sheikh Mohamud as they were leaving the presidential palace and heading to the airport,” Al Shabaab said.
Eyewitnesses, including soldiers and local residents, confirmed that the president’s convoy was hit in the attack. A Reuters journalist at the scene reported seeing the bodies of four people killed in the explosion.
President Safe, Vows to Continue the Fight
Despite the severity of the attack, President Mohamud emerged unscathed. Senior government and military officials confirmed his safety, and presidential adviser Zakariye Hussein reassured the public via X (formerly Twitter), stating that the president was “good and well on his way to the front lines.”
Just hours after the attempted assassination, state media aired footage of Mohamud in the Adan Yabal district of Somalia’s Middle Shabelle region, where government forces are locked in fierce battles against Al Shabaab fighters in a weeks-long military operation.
A Chilling Warning from Al Shabaab
Tuesday’s attack marks the first direct attempt on Mohamud’s life since 2014, during his previous term in office, when militants bombed a hotel where he was delivering a speech. The latest assault is a chilling reminder of Al Shabaab’s continued ability to strike at the highest levels of Somalia’s leadership.
Al Shabaab has waged a relentless insurgency against the Somali government for over a decade, seeking to overthrow the administration and impose its strict version of Islamic law. The group frequently targets government officials, military installations, and civilian areas with bombings and armed assaults.
Security Concerns Mount
The attack raises fresh concerns about the security situation in Somalia’s capital, despite ongoing counterterrorism efforts by Somali forces and their international allies. As the nation battles to contain the insurgency, questions linger about the effectiveness of current security measures in protecting top officials and critical infrastructure.
For now, President Mohamud remains defiant, pressing ahead with military operations against Al Shabaab. But as the militant group grows increasingly bold, Somalia’s leadership faces a daunting challenge: ensuring the safety of its citizens while preventing future high-profile attacks.
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Somali President Escapes Bomb Attack as Al Shabaab Strikes Again