Mogadishu, (Idil News) – On Tuesday, a significant incident occurred in Mogadishu when a powerful explosion struck the El-Gaabta intersection near the Presidential Palace, Villa Somalia, targeting President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s convoy as it passed through.
Al-Shabaab, a militant group, claimed responsibility for the attack via their media outlet, Al-Kataib, confirming it was an assassination attempt using an improvised explosive device (IED).
After the attack, Hassan Sheikh was reportedly narrowly survived and skipped to the airport for a scheduled visit to the frontline offensive aimed at halting Al-Shabaab’s advance toward Mogadishu in south-central Somalia. Local sources confirmed that at least ten people were killed and twenty injured, with one bulletproof car damaged and security personnel among the casualties. Additionally, more than 17 journalists and reporters were arrested in the Hamar Jabab district while covering the event, suggesting that the federal government may be attempting to silence the media and censor coverage in the area following the incident.