In a tragic and devastating attack, an Al-Shabaab suicide bomber and gunmen stormed the popular Lido beach in Mogadishu, Somalia, on Friday night, resulting in the deaths of at least 32 people and leaving around 63 others injured, many critically. This marks one of the deadliest attacks in the East African nation in recent months.
The attack began with a suicide bomber detonating an explosive device, followed by gunmen randomly shooting at civilians enjoying the beach. Al-Shabaab, the Al-Qaeda-linked jihadist group, has claimed responsibility for the attack on a pro-Shabaab website.
Police spokesman Abdifatah Adan Hassan confirmed the death toll and injuries during a press conference, stating, “Targeting and blasting to kill 32 members from the civilian population means these Kharijites are not going to target only government centres, soldiers and officials.”
Witnesses described the scene as chaotic and devastating. “Everybody was panicked and it was hard to know what was happening because shooting started soon after the blast,” said Abdilatif Ali, who was present during the attack. The carnage included bloodied bodies and severed pieces of human flesh strewn across the beach.
Security forces swiftly responded, killing five gunmen and ending the attack. A sixth attacker detonated another explosive at the beach.
Hospitals in the area have made urgent appeals for blood donations to treat the influx of wounded. Abdulkhaliq Osman, head of the health section of Kalkaal hospital, reported receiving scores of injured individuals, with several requiring critical medical attention.
Moussa Faki Mahamat, chairman of the African Union Commission, expressed his condolences and condemned the attack as “horrific” and “callous” in a tweet.
The Somali government continues its offensive against Al-Shabaab, which has a history of targeting the Lido beach area and other parts of the country with deadly attacks.
