Hiiraan Online
Thursday, February 18, 2016
Mr. Maalin Mohamed Ibrahim, the education minister of the Jubbaland state of Somalia
MOGADISHU (HOL) – Security forces in the Somali port city of Kismayo said Thursday they had foiled a plot to kill a regional minister, Maalin Mohamed Ibrahim, the education minister of the Kismayo-based Jubbaland state. The minister had barely survived after security forces responding to a security tip-off disarmed a bomb planted in his car before he entered it.
Speaking to the reporters after the operation, Mr. Ibrahim blamed Al-Shabab for the responsibility of the bomb which was concealed in his vehicle, vowing that the attempt on his life would not deter him from maintaining his work.
“The people who planted the bomb in my car are ones whom we received as our close associates.” He said, saying that his explosives were attached to his car at his home.
Security officials said that they have arrested the suspect behind the foiled attack which aimed to assassinate the minister.
No group has immediately claimed the responsibility for the attempted murder of the Jubbaland’s education minister.
However, despite losing most of its key strongholds, Al Shabab has stepped attacks against Somali government, AU forces and regional states across the country.
The attacks underscore challenges facing Somali government which is trying to expand its rule across the country.
Somalia’s prime minister has vowed his government would oust militants from the areas still under their control before the 2016, a year the country proposed to hold presidential elections.