DEADLY ATTACK ON MOGADISHU BEACH: OVER 32 KILLED IN AL-SHABAB ASSAULT

Sat 03 August 2024:

At least 32 people were killed, and many others wounded, in a brutal suicide bombing and gun attack on Lido Beach in Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu. The attack occurred late on Friday and was claimed by Al-Shabab, an al-Qaeda-linked armed group.

The assault began with a suicide bomber detonating at the entrance of the Beach View Hotel. Following this, several attackers attempted to storm the hotel, firing on people on the beach. Witnesses and police reported chaos as residents walking or sitting on the beach were caught in the attack.

“More than 32 civilians died in this attack, and about 63 others were wounded, some critically,” stated police spokesman Abdifatah Adan Hassan, revising the initial death toll from seven. He added that security forces had killed all the attackers at the scene and captured another one driving a car filled with explosives. One soldier was killed, and another was injured.

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Witness Accounts

Witnesses described the terror of the attack. Mohamud Moalim recounted seeing an attacker with an explosive vest moments before the explosion. Another witness, Abdilatif Ali, described the panic and confusion as gunfire erupted following the blast, with people trying to take cover or flee.

Somalia’s federal government condemned the attack, with former Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire expressing condolences to the victims’ families. He highlighted the terrorists’ hostility, noting the attack coincided with the beach being particularly crowded on a Friday night.

Lido Beach, a popular area in Mogadishu, has been a target for Al-Shabab fighters in the past. The group has been fighting to overthrow the central government for over 17 years, carrying out numerous attacks in the capital and across the country. Despite support from foreign troops, the Somali government continues to face significant challenges in its fight against Al-Shabab.

Security Concerns and Future Prospects

Matt Bryden, a strategic adviser with the Sahan Research think tank, described the attack as a significant security failure. He noted that it highlighted the government’s difficulties in combating Al-Shabab, especially with the planned withdrawal of the African Union peacekeeping mission (ATMIS). Bryden also discussed the delicate balance Al-Shabab must maintain as it seeks political power while avoiding being seen as an indiscriminate terrorist group. The prospect of negotiations between the government and Al-Shabab has been suggested, with indications that discussions may be closer than ever.

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES

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