Somalia’s army commander, General Odowaa Yusuf Rageh has survived a suicide car bomb attack that targeted his convoy at the heart of Mogadishu but left at least one person dead and two others injured, an army spokesman said near the scene.
Somali army spokesman, Abdiqani Ali Ashkir said while the army prevented them from inflicting casualties on the people, they thwarted the attack after shooting bullets against the suspects, seconds before it went off.
“According to the casualties, at least one person was killed and two others injured in the car bomb attack, the scene which you can see from here,” Ashkir added.
Ashkir noted that the Somali army promises the people of Somalia that they will foil any attempt by the militants to kill innocent people, and will defend and protect them from any blasts.
An eyewitness said a car laden with explosives was detonated just near the convoy of the General who at the time was leaving the Defense Ministry compound within Mogadishu.
Although attacks against military officers are common in Somalia, an attempt against a high ranking general is the first in many years.
No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack but it resembles that of Al-Shabaab, a terrorist group that has been targeting military bases in recent months.
Somali army chief General Odawaa Yusuf Rageh survives from an assisination attempt after a suicide car bomb has been targeted to his convoy in Mogadishu soon after they left from defense ministry. pic.twitter.com/FjgvIT4Lyx
— Mohamed Moalimuu (@MOALIMUU) July 13, 2020