By Sayyid Omar

The Somali government has issued an official statement regarding the explosion that occurred in Mogadishu yesterday, confirming that it targeted the convoy of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud as he was heading to the frontline. The attack took place in Xamarjajab district, specifically at the Ceelgaabta intersection.

“At approximately 10:32 AM, an explosion targeted a convoy passing through Xamarjajab district in Mogadishu while the President of the Federal Republic of Somalia was en route to the frontline in Hirshabelle. The attack was thwarted, and the President safely reached his intended destination as planned,” the statement from Somalia’s Ministry of Information read.

The government has completely refused to disclose any information regarding casualties from the explosion. Journalists who arrived at the scene were arrested, and so far, no official figures on the damage or type of attack have been released.

The Al-Shabaab militant group has claimed responsibility for the bombing, which targeted the convoy accompanying President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.

Minutes after the explosion, National Security Advisor Hussein Moalim posted on his X (Twitter) account that the President was safe and continuing his visits to assess ongoing military operations at the frontlines.

This is the first direct attack on President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud since 2014, during his previous term, when Al-Shabaab targeted a hotel where he was staying with a bomb attack.