Saudi Arabia strongly condemned on Wednesday the attempted assassination targeting Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s convoy. A roadside bomb exploded near the presidential residence in Mogadishu on Tuesday. The blast occurred shortly after the convoy departed, but the president escaped unharmed.
Reports indicate four people died, including a journalist in a collapsed nearby building. Al-Shabab, a Somali militant group, claimed responsibility for the attack. The president’s entourage was en route to the airport to oversee military operations in Middle Shabelle. Somalia has intensified efforts to combat Al-Shabab in recent months across multiple regions.
International Reactions
Saudi Foreign Ministry emphasized in a statement solidarity with Somalia against terrorism, reiterating the Kingdom’s rejection of violence and commitment to regional security.
Moreover, the UN and UK denounced the attack. Antonio Guterres reaffirmed the UN’s support for Somalia’s stability. The British embassy condemned the violence and pledged solidarity with Somali authorities.
Notably, the Somali leader visited Riyadh in November for an Arab-Islamic summit, where he expressed his country’s support for Palestinians and called for an urgent ceasefire in Gaza during the trip.
