An attack at a popular beach in the Somali capital Mogadishu by an Al-Shabaab suicide bomber and gunmen resulted in the death of 32 people and left many others injured, according to police on Saturday.
The Al-Qaeda-affiliated militants have been fighting against the government in Somalia for more than 17 years and have previously targeted the Lido beach area, which is frequented by business people and officials.
Videos shared online shortly after the attack showed chaos and bloodied bodies on the beachfront.
“More than 32 civilians died in this attack and about 63 others were wounded, some critically,” police spokesman Abdifatah Adan Hassan stated during a press conference.
“Targeting and killing 32 civilians shows that these Kharijites are not only attacking government centers but also innocent people,” he added, using a term Somali officials use to refer to Al-Shabaab.
The attack, which Al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for, started with a suicide bombing followed by gunmen storming the area, witnesses reported.
Security forces managed to end the attack, killing five gunmen, while a sixth blew himself up at the beach.
Witnesses described the panic and chaos that ensued after the explosion and subsequent gunfire at the popular location.
– Lido Beach attacks –
“Everybody was panicked and it was hard to know what was happening because shooting started soon after the blast,” witness Abdilatif Ali recounted.
People tried to take cover or flee as the attack unfolded.
Al-Shabaab has been behind several bombings and attacks in Mogadishu and other parts of the country, despite government efforts to combat the extremist group.
The Lido area has been a target of previous attacks, including a siege in 2023 that resulted in casualties.
Recent attacks include a car bomb blast at a cafe and a siege at a hotel that left several people dead and injured.
str-rbu/gil
