An attack on a busy beach in the Somali capital Mogadishu, carried out by an Al-Shabaab suicide bomber and gunmen, resulted in the death of 32 people and injuries to many others, according to police reports on Saturday.
The Al-Qaeda-linked insurgents have been fighting against the federal government for over 17 years and have previously targeted the popular Lido beach area frequented by business people and officials.
Videos shared online following the attack showed chaotic scenes with people running along the street, and some footage showing injured individuals on the beachfront.
“More than 32 civilians lost their lives in this attack and around 63 others sustained injuries, with some in critical condition,” stated police spokesman Abdifatah Adan Hassan during a press briefing.
“Targeting and killing 32 civilians in such a brutal manner indicates that these extremists are not just focusing on government facilities, soldiers, and officials,” he added, referring to Al-Shabaab as “Kharijites,” a term used by Somali officials.
Al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for the assault, stating on a pro-Shabaab website that it began with a suicide bombing followed by gunmen storming the area, as reported by police and witnesses to AFP.
A police officer mentioned that civilians were shot at randomly during the attack.
Security forces were able to stop the attack, eliminating five gunmen, while a sixth member of the group detonated himself on the beach.
Witnesses described a large gathering at the beach when the explosion occurred, with gunmen entering the area soon after.
– Lido Beach attacks –
Witness Abdilatif Ali recalled the panic and confusion that ensued, with people trying to seek cover or escape the danger.
Ahmed Yare, who observed the attack from a nearby hotel, witnessed the chaos and injuries inflicted on individuals at the beach.
Al-Shabaab has carried out numerous bombings and attacks in Mogadishu and other parts of the country, despite the government’s efforts to combat the militants.
The Lido area has been a target for previous attacks, including a siege of a beachside hotel in 2023 that resulted in six civilian deaths and 10 injuries.
Last month, a car bomb blast at a cafe in the capital killed five people.
In March, three people were killed and 27 wounded in a siege of another hotel in Mogadishu by the militants, ending a period of relative calm in the conflict.
str-rbu/gil
