President of Somalia has survived an assassination attempt. President Hassan Sheikh Mehmood was on his way to Mogadishu airport when he came under attack.
On Tuesday morning, the President’s convoy came under attack when it departed Villa Somalia for Mogadishu airport. The convoy was hit by a huge explosion from a device planted in a building on the side of the road.
Multiple sources say vehicles from the president’s convoy were impacted, but the president was unharmed as he reached the airport and flew to central Somalia to boost the morale of the troops who are battling al-Shabaab.
Al-Shabaab has claimed responsibility for the attack.
Somali journalist Mohamed Abukar Dabbaashe is among four people killed in this attack. Dabbaashe worked for Radio Risaala, a Mogadishu-based independent station locating near the scene of the explosion.
Al Shabaab fighters have been making territorial gains in Middle Shabelle and Lower Shabelle in recent weeks. Turkey, US, Ethiopia and Burundi and providing military support in the ongoing counter offensive to push the armed group away from Mogadishu, the capital city.
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