A devastating attack in Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu, has left at least 32 people dead and 63 others wounded. The assault, involving a suicide bombing and gunfire, occurred at a popular beachfront location near the Beach View Hotel on Lido Beach. The al-Qaeda-affiliated extremist group al-Shabab has claimed responsibility for the attack.
The attack began late on Friday when al-Shabab militants targeted the busy area, frequented by residents of Mogadishu. According to police spokesperson Abdifatah Adan Hassan, among the dead were civilians and one soldier, with the majority of the injured also being civilians.
Many young Somalis died in a heavy explosion that took place in Mogadishu Lido beach.
There are a Shocking and horrific scenes in Mogadisho’s Liido beach. I have received very graphic images of the bodies of innocent civilians scattered on the ground. pic.twitter.com/ln6ln0HmnN
— Mohamed Yusuf Bakayle (@MoBakayle) August 2, 2024
Al-Shabab, which controls large parts of southern and central Somalia, has been waging an insurgency against the UN-backed government for nearly 20 years. This attack follows a retaliatory airstrike by Israel on al-Shabab positions in the port of Hodeidah, further escalating tensions in the region.
Emergency services quickly responded to the scene, transporting injured victims to hospitals across the city. The Somali Disaster Management Agency issued an urgent call for blood donations, which was met with an overwhelming public response.
Al-Shabab’s latest attack is part of its ongoing efforts to destabilize the Somali government and impose its strict interpretation of Sharia law. The group has a history of targeting civilian and military sites, aiming to undermine the authority of the Somali state and its allies.
The assault on the Beach View Hotel is not an isolated incident. Just last month, al-Shabab militants attempted to overrun three army bases in southern Somalia, leading to intense clashes with Somali forces. The group has also targeted international interests in the region, including attacks on American, British, and other vessels in the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait.
In response to the attack, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud convened an emergency meeting with federal authorities to discuss strategies for enhancing the security of Mogadishu. The government has vowed to intensify efforts to eliminate al-Shabab and improve the safety of its citizens.
The African Union Commission Chair, Moussa Faki Mahamat, condemned the attack as “horrific,” and expressed solidarity with the victims and their families. The Somali government officials have been visiting hospitals to meet with the wounded and assess the situation firsthand.
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