At least 32 killed in Somalia beach attack carried out by al Shabab

At least 32 people were killed and 63 others were injured in an explosion on the popular Lido beach area in Somalia's capitalMogadishu on Friday (Aug 2). Citing state media, a report by the news agency Reuters said that the attack was blamed on the al-Qaeda-linked, al Shabab. The explosion took place at a restaurant onthe beach area.

This was the deadliest attack in Somaliasince twin car bombs detonated near a busy market intersection in October 2022, killing at least 100 people and wounding 300 others.

Al Shabab claimed responsibility for the attackin a post on a pro-Shabaab website.

'A peaceful evening shattered'

According to police spokesperson Abdifatah Aden, one of the attackers had blown himself up while three others had been killed by security forces. Additionally, one attacker was captured alive and one soldier was killed during the assault.

Hassan Farah, a survivor, described the shock as the explosion shattered a peaceful evening. Speaking to Reuters, Farah said he was at the restaurant "when I saw a big man running, in a second there was something like lightning and a huge blast."

"We were covered with smoke. Inside and outside the restaurant many people were lying on the floor while others were bleeding and crying," Farah added.

Videos posted on X showed bodies lying on the beach in the dark, and people running to safety.

Local media reported that hospitalsappealed for blood donations following the influx of wounded.

Reactions to the attack

In a post on X, former Somali Prime MinisterHassan Ali Khaire said, "The fact that the terrorist attack coincides with this night when the beach is the most congested shows the hostility of the terrorists to the Somali people."

Meanwhile,Faki Mahamat, chairman of the African UnionCommission, labelled the attack"horrific" and "callous."

The Lido area has been the target of previous attacks, including a six-hour al Shabab siege of a beachside hotel last year, which left six civilians dead and 10 wounded.

The al-Qaeda-linked group controlled a vast area ofSomaliabefore being pushed back in government counter offensives in 2022. However, the militants remain capable of launching significant attacks on government, commercial, and military targets.

(With inputs from agencies)