Al-Shabab claims mortar attack near Somalia leader ceremony

MOGADISHU / AP

The Somalia-based extremist group al-Shabab claimed responsibility on Thursday for a mortar attack outside the presidential palace during a handover ceremony for the country’s new leader, a sign of the enormous security challenges he faces in trying to develop this long-chaotic country.
The blasts were heard during the ceremony for President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo.
The SITE Intelligence Group, which monitors extremist websites, cited al-Shabab posts on Twitter that “there is news of losses.” There was no immediate word from government officials on any deaths.
Farmajo, who also holds US citizenship, was elected and sworn in Feb. 8. Securing a country that remains under threat of deadly attacks by al-Shabab, which is linked to al-Qaida, is a top challenge. While the extremist group has been pushed out of most of its key strongholds, it continues to carry out deadly attacks in Somalia’s capital,
Mogadishu.
Recent targets have included hotels and checkpoints manned by Somalia’s security forces or the multinational African Union peacekeeping mission that has been trying to stabilize this Horn of Africa country. Fears of al-Shabab attacks were a factor in delaying this month’s presidential election multiple times since last year.