An explosion occurred near the presidential palace in Mogadishu as Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s convoy was leaving the premises. The president was unharmed, according to the Somali Guardian news portal.
The blast took place at the El-Gaabta intersection, close to the presidential palace, and resulted in casualties. Security forces immediately cordoned off the area. The Al-Shabaab militant group has claimed responsibility for the attack.
Despite the attempted assassination, President Mohamud continued his journey to the Middle Shabelle region to meet with military forces conducting operations against Al-Shabaab.
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Photo: Expert Infantry/Creative Commons 2.0
Based on materials from TASS