Tragic Terror Attack in Mogadishu Claims Lives
According to reports from officials, the brutal terrorist assault on a beach in Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu, has tragically resulted in at least 37 fatalities, along with numerous injuries. This grim information surfaced on Saturday amidst the ongoing crisis.
The insurgents, linked to Al-Qaida and known as Al-Shabaab, have fiercely opposed the internationally recognized Somali government for over 17 years. Their insatiable violence continues to threaten peace and stability.
This particular area, Lido beach, has been a prior target for Al-Shabaab due to its popularity among business elites and government officials. The latest attack commenced late Friday. A suicide bomber detonated explosives, paving the way for armed assailants to invade the tranquil beach scene.
Witnesses recounted harrowing moments following the explosion, revealing that the armed perpetrators sought to “eliminate everyone in sight.” The chaos left in the wake of the attack stunned those who survived.
A shocking video circulated shortly after, capturing the horrific aftermath: lifeless bodies sprawled across the sandy shoreline. Somali Health Minister Ali Haji Adam confirmed to reporters that, “The total number of confirmed deceased is 37.”
In addition, Minister Adam indicated that eleven individuals remain in critical condition, while 64 others are hospitalized due to significant injuries. Meanwhile, 137 people with minor injuries have been treated and discharged.
Officer Mohamed Omar reported to AFP that the assailants “fired indiscriminately at civilians.” Security forces swiftly responded, neutralizing five attackers. However, a sixth assailant took his own life amid the chaos on the beach.
According to police spokesperson Abdifatah Adan Hassan, this heinous act of violence underscores the group’s strategy of targeting not just government personnel but regular citizens as well.
‘Eliminating Every Person They Could’
Survivors highlighted the bustling atmosphere of Lido beach during the attack. One witness, Omar Elmi, disclosed to AFP, “As we were enjoying a peaceful day, a suicide bomber detonated himself in the middle of a crowd.” He depicted a scene filled with chaos, describing many people sprawled on the ground—some dead, others gravely injured, and many just in shock.
Another survivor, Harun Issa Wehliye, recounted the loss of a close friend during the disaster. He said, “After the explosion, four armed men surged in, indiscriminately killing everyone they could find.”
Hawo Mohamed, a local resident, corroborated the accounts. He mentioned knowing at least seven victims who perished that day, stating, “The devastation is unfathomable; blood and dismembered remains litter the scene.”
Driven by compassion, local hospitals urgently requested blood donations due to the overwhelming number of casualties. Mahad Abdiaziz Ibrahim stood in a long line, explaining to AFP, “Donating blood is the most meaningful action I can take to help those in dire need.”
‘An Unforgivable Atrocity’
In response to this tragic incident, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud announced via X that he would convene an emergency meeting with the prime minister and key security advisers to address the escalating crisis.
Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre described the attack as a “savage atrocity in stark contradiction to the core values of our faith and culture.” Meanwhile, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned these “deplorable acts of terrorism,” emphasizing the importance of unity in combating “violent extremism” in Somalia.
Moussa Faki Mahamat, head of the African Union, expressed his condolences on social media, labeling the attack as “horrific” and “inhumane.”
Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Ministry also condemned the assault, particularly condemning the targeting of innocent civilians while expressing solidarity with Somalia’s government and grief for the victims’ families.
Al-Shabaab has a long history of uncovering violence in Mogadishu and other regions of Somalia, escalating conflicts while the government strives to curb the threat posed by these militants. Recent attacks in the Lido area include a six-hour siege in 2023 at a beachfront hotel, which left six civilians dead and ten injured. Additionally, last month, a car bomb blast at a cafe resulted in five fatalities.
In March, an hours-long siege on another hotel in Mogadishu claimed three lives and injured 27 others—an event that disrupted a fragile peace that had briefly settled over the region.
Stay informed with the latest updates on this situation as it unfolds.
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