Somalia’s president targeted in bomb attack by Al-Shabaab militants

Somali president Hassan Sheikh Mohamud narrowly escaped an assassination attempt on Tuesday when his convoy was targeted by a roadside bomb in Mogadishu.

The bomb exploded near the presidential palace as the president’s motorcade was leaving the building en route to the airport. The militant group Al-Shabaab, which has long waged attacks against the Somali government, claimed responsibility for the attack. At least three people were confirmed dead in the explosion, but president Mohamud himself was unharmed. The Somali government condemned the attack as a “cowardly act of desperation” by Al-Shabaab, which has been fighting to destabilize Somalia for years. A witness at the scene reported seeing several bodies, while others confirmed debris and dust covering the area.

The attack occurred just before the president was scheduled to visit Middle Shabelle, a region where Somali forces have been engaged in military operations against Al-Shabaab militants.

Several international organizations, including the United Nations and the African Union, and also the United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates and other countries condemned the assault, reaffirming their support for Somalia’s fight against terrorism. This latest attack follows a series of bold strikes against African heads of state. In May 2024, DRC president Felix Tshisekedi faced an attempted coup, while Chad’s president Deby was attacked in January 2025. Despite these challenges, Somalia’s leadership remains determined to continue its efforts to combat terrorism and restore peace to the region.