An explosion at a beloved beach in Mogadishu, Somalia’s capital, claimed the lives of no less than eight people, injuring another 28 individuals on Friday night. This information was provided by an ambulance service, laying the blame of the attack on Islamist extremist group al Shabaab by the Somali state media. Dr Abdikadir Abdirahmman, head of the Aamin ambulance service, reported the injury and death count, suggesting the final toll may still increase.
According to the Somali state news agency (SONNA), along with the victims, five al Shabaab attackers were eliminated by official forces, while a sixth attacker committed suicide during the violence. The responsibility for the horrifying event hasn’t been confirmed by al Shabaab, an al-Qaeda affiliate, although they have acknowledged similar bloody assaults in the past.
The explosion ensued whilst locals were enjoying an evening dip at Lido beach, according to former premier Hassan Ali Khaire, who reported the incident on his social media. He also expressed that the timing of the terrorist attack, which coincided with peak beach footfall, was a clear message of the militants’ antagonism toward the Somali population.
Disturbing footage circulating on social media showed lifeless bodies on the sandy shore amidst chaos and people fleeing for their lives in the dark.
Despite being ousted from large swathes of Somali land through government resistance since 2022, the threat of al Shabab remains significant. They still have the capacity to execute considerable attacks on varying targets including government, commercial and military establishments.
Copyright Thomson Reuters 2024