Double suicide car bombings in Dhusamareb, officials say Somali president and regional leader were "target"

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Double suicide car bombings in Dhusamareb, officials say Somali president and regional leader were "target"

GALKAYO (HORN OBSERVER) – The city of Dhusamareb, in central Somalia, has been shocked by yet another terrorist bombings with security sources now saying the target was the Somali president and the regional leader of Galmudug.

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The aftermath of the second suicide car bombing in Dhusamareb security checkpoint on Thursday.

GALKAYO (HORN OBSERVER) – The city of Dhusamareb, in central Somalia, has been shocked by yet another terrorist bombings with security sources now saying the target was the Somali president and the regional leader of Galmudug.

Officials from the Galmudug Ministry of Security have reported that Al-Shabaab militants orchestrated the attacks, employing two suicide bombings using bulletproof vehicles laden with explosives.

The first explosion occurred near Dhusamareb airport, with the second blast taking place at a city entrance checkpoint, as confirmed by senior security officials.

Authorities have disclosed that the intended targets were President Hassan Sheikh and Galmudug President Ahmed Qorqor, both of whom narrowly avoided the site of the attack. President Mohamud was engaged in a series of meetings at the time of the bombings.

Tragically, four soldiers from the Galmudug police lost their lives in the incidents. This morning, the city remains on edge, with road closures and heightened security around the Galmudug presidential palace, where President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud resides.

This Thursday’s incident follows a recent attempt on President Ahmed Qorqor’s life earlier this month, in which he survived a suicide bombing that left two MPs injured.

Galmudug security officials suspect the involvement of individuals within the government security apparatus who may have had ulterior motives. An investigation into the incident is currently underway.

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud also narrowly escaped a suicide car bombing earlier this month in Maxaas town of Hiiraan region, highlighting the precarious security situation in the region.

Officials are now suggesting that these repeated attacks are potentially orchestrated as an "inside job by groups with vested interests,” as revealed by a senior security officer in Galmudug who, owing to the sensitive nature of the situation, requested anonymity.

Villa Somalia has yet to comment on the Thursday’s bombing attacks.