Thursday March 20, 2025 {HMC}  United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres and Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Secretary-General Hissein Taha have strongly condemned the attack on Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s convoy in Mogadishu on Tuesday.

In a statement issued by his Deputy Spokesperson, Farhan Haq, Guterres extended his condolences to the families of the victims and wished a speedy recovery to those injured. He reaffirmed the UN’s full solidarity with Somalia in its fight against terrorism and its efforts to achieve peace and stability.

OIC Secretary-General Hissein Taha also denounced what he described as an appalling act of violence. He extended condolences to the Somali government, the families of the victims, and the people of Somalia while wishing the injured a swift recovery.

Taha reiterated the OIC’s commitment to supporting Somalia in confronting threats to its security and stability.

The attack, which targeted the presidential convoy near El-Gab junction in Mogadishu, resulted in the deaths of at least eight people, including journalist Mohamed Abukar Dabashe, who was inside a nearby building that collapsed due to the explosion.

Al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for the attack, stating on its Telegram channel, “Our fighters targeted a convoy of vehicles carrying Hassan Sheikh Mohamud as they were leaving the presidential palace and heading to the airport.”

Despite the assassination attempt, two senior government and military officials confirmed that President Mohamud was unharmed. Hours after the attack, he arrived in Aden Yabaal district in Middle Shabelle to oversee military operations against Al-Shabaab and boost troop morale.

Thursday March 20, 2025 {HMC} The Somali National Army (SNA), backed by local forces, launched a major ground and air offensive against Al-Shabaab militants in the Middle Shabelle region on Wednesday night, targeting militant hideouts and restoring security to affected areas.

According to Somali National Television, the operation resulted in heavy casualties among Al-Shabaab fighters, though the exact number of militants killed, and the specific locations targeted were not disclosed.

“The SNA and allied forces are advancing from multiple directions, conducting clearing operations in areas where the Khawarij had recently gained a foothold. The coordinated offensive has already yielded success, with security forces pushing back the militants and reclaiming territory previously under their control,” the report stated.

The offensive comes in response to recent Al-Shabaab activities in the region, with the militant group attempting to destabilize local communities. Military officials say the operation is ongoing, with both ground troops and air support working to neutralize the threat, the report added.

The SNA has urged civilians to remain vigilant and cooperate with security forces as efforts continue to secure Middle Shabelle and prevent further militant incursions.

Thursday March 20, 2025 {HMC} Osman Saleh, Eritrea’s Foreign Minister, said his country is “perplexed” by what it called Ethiopia’s “misguided and outdated ambitions” for maritime access and a naval base “through diplomacy or military force.” He urged the international community to press Ethiopia to respect “the sovereignty and territorial integrity of its neighbors.”

Osman made the remarks during a briefing at the Foreign Ministry headquarters in Asmara to resident ambassadors, members of the diplomatic corps, and heads of UN agencies. The briefing, shared by Eritrea’s Minister of Information Yemane Gebremeskel on X, addressed what Eritrea described as “false accusations” concerning its alleged preparations for war against Ethiopia, its stance on the Pretoria Agreement, and Ethiopia’s diplomatic push for sea access.

Osman said the Eritrean Defense Forces (EDF) had “redeployed to Eritrea’s internationally recognized borders” following the end of the two-year war in Tigray in November 2022. “Anyone that claims or suggests” otherwise, he said, is doing so “to scapegoat Eritrea for Ethiopia’s internal problems.”

He attributed these claims to “former TPLF members” who, he said, had “rejected the Eritrea-Ethiopia Boundary Commission (EEBC) ruling” and had worked toward “regime change in Eritrea to no avail.”

On the Pretoria Agreement, Osman said Eritrea views it as “an internal affair of Ethiopia” and has “no desire to intervene.” Any suggestion that Eritrea is involved in the conflict between the Tigray Interim Administration and the TPLF, he said, is “categorically rejected.”

Osman’s comments come amid heightened tensions between the two countries with former Ethiopian President Mulatu Teshome has accused Eritrea of attempting to “exploit divisions within the TPLF” to weaken the Pretoria Agreement, warning it could “reignite war in northern Ethiopia” and “tear up the whole peace deal.” Eritrea rejected the claim at the time, with Yemane calling it an “audacious claim” meant to “rationalize a war-mongering agenda.”

Last week, Getachew Reda, President of the Tigray Interim Administration, has accused Eritrea of being among those “who think they can benefit from turmoil that will be created in Tigray,” asserting, “I know the Eritrean government is one of them.”

Lt. Gen. Tsadkan Gebretensae, Vice President of the Tigray Interim Administration, has also warned that war between Ethiopia and Eritrea “seems inevitable,” with Tigray at risk of becoming the main battleground.

U.S. Senator James Risch, Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, has expressed concern over the situation, warning that renewed conflict in Ethiopia’s north could have “catastrophic consequences.” He called on both Ethiopia and Eritrea to “urgently de-escalate tensions immediately.”

Regarding Ethiopia’s position on sea access, Osman said Eritrea was “perplexed” by what it sees as “misguided and outdated ambitions” to secure maritime access “through diplomacy or military force.” He urged the international community to take action, saying such efforts disregarded “the sovereignty and territorial integrity of neighbors.”