Mogadishu: Saudi Arabia has condemned an assassination attempt that targeted Somali President Sheikh Mahmud in the Somali capital Mogadishu, the official news agency SPA reported on Wednesday. SPA quoted a foreign ministry's statement as expressing the kingdom's solidarity with the Federal Republic of Somalia vis-a-vis threats against its security and stability.
According to Kuwait News Agency, the kingdom renewed its rejection of all forms of violence, terrorism, and extremism. Media reported that the rebel group Al-Shabaab detonated a bomb on Tuesday targeting the presidential convoy, causing damage in the city. President Mohamud was traveling to Hirshabelle state, where the army is reportedly planning a major offensive against Al-Shabaab.
Al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for the attack, which comes a week after militants from the group stormed a hotel in central Somalia, killing nine people. The group has been fighting the federal government for over 15 years.