37 people were killed in a beach suicide bombing. Learn more about the attack and the response from authorities.
In recent months, this occurrence denotes one of the deadliest attacks in the area.
For over 17 years, the federal government of Somalia has been facing a long-standing insurgency waged by Al-Shabaab – a militant group known for its affiliation with Al-Qaeda.
Businesspeople and government officials have been previously targeted in the frequented Lido beach area.
Recalling the terrifying incident, those who made it through detailed how armed assailants charged onto the shore after a suicide blast with the aim of inflicting as many casualties as possible.
Videos that caused disturbance were circulated online showing the aftermath where sand was scattered with bloodstained bodies.
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On Saturday, Ali Haji Adam, the Minister of Health in Somalia, published a statement verifying the number of individuals affected.
According to his report, 11 people are currently in critical condition while 64 others remain hospitalized with severe injuries.
Additionally, he stated that medical professionals treated and released 137 patients who sustained minor injuries during the incident.
Al-Shabaab was held accountable for the attack that commenced on Friday night. Initially, a suicide bomber caused an explosion and then armed gunmen invaded the locality.
Without any specific target in mind, civilians were shot at random as confirmed by Officer Mohamed Omar’s statement.
The security forces eventually subdued the threat resulting in five deaths of assailants while one detonated explosives near or within close proximity to sandy lands adjacent with water bodies/seafront coastline areas (i.e., “on” beach).
Abdifatah Adan Hassan, the police spokesperson stressed that Al-Shabaab showcased its inclination to assault both regular civilians and government officials + soldiers in their recent attack.
As the explosion erupted in the midst of a sizable gathering, onlookers bore witness to ensuing pandemonium. Shortly thereafter, gun-wielding individuals arrived on scene and began firing without discretion.
Accounts from those who survived include one individual’s lamentation over losing a dear companion as well as another person vividly recounting the horrifying image of gore and human carnage that unfolded before their eyes.
In order to treat the large number of wounded individuals, hospitals made an urgent plea for blood donations. Mahad Abdiaziz Ibrahim, who volunteered as a donor, expressed that donating blood was the most effective way he could assist those requiring medical attention.
An urgent gathering with top security personnel was called by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud to tackle the issue at hand. Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre denounced the assault as a violation of national principles and dubbed it a “savage outrage.”
Throughout its existence, Al-Shabaab has been known for carrying out bombings and assaults in various regions of Somalia, particularly Mogadishu.
The organization has taken credit for multiple past occurrences that resulted in fatalities or injuries, such as the 2023 siege of a hotel by the coast and last month’s detonation of a car bomb at a café.
The African Union and the United Nations, along with the rest of the global community, have denounced this violent assault.
They extend their sympathies while advocating for decisive measures to be taken in response to such heinous acts.
