Somalia's Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre made several changes in the government and named Jibril Abdirashid Haji Abdi, who previously served as minister of commerce and industry, the new defense minister, according to a statement issued by the prime minister's office on Monday.
Meanwhile, former Defense Minister Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur was appointed minister of ports and sea transport, the statement said.
The government changes reportedly come amid Somalia's recent challenges in containing an offensive by Al-Shabaab* terrorists.
On Tuesday, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud's convoy was reportedly attacked by Al-Shabaab on its way to Mogadishu airport. While the president was unharmed, at least one person died and three others were injured.
Earlier in March, an Al-Shabaab terrorist attack in Somalia targeted the Qaahira Hotel in Beledweyne city in the southern Hirshabelle state, killing at least 10 people, reports said.
*a terrorist organization banned in Russia and many other states