Mogadishu, at least 37 civilians have been killed and 212 injured, according to the country’s health minister. The explosion, which occurred late Friday, has been described as one of the deadliest in Somalia since the twin car bombings in October 2022, which claimed 100 lives and injured 300 others.
The Somali government has attributed the attack to the militant Islamist group al Shabaab, an al Qaeda affiliate known for its violent campaigns against the Somali state and its people. This incident marks a grim reminder of the ongoing threat posed by the group, despite significant territorial losses in recent years.
The attack unfolded with a suicide bomber detonating an explosive device inside the restaurant, causing chaos and carnage. Security forces responded swiftly, killing three additional attackers and capturing one alive. During the assault, a soldier was also killed. The injured, with 11 in critical condition, have been rushed to local hospitals as the city reels from the aftermath.
Survivors of the attack recounted harrowing experiences. Hassan Farah, who was at the restaurant when the explosion occurred, described the scene as one of utter devastation. “I was in the restaurant sipping coffee and having a good chat with friends when I saw a big man running, in a second there was something like lightning and a huge blast,” Farah told Reuters. “We were covered with smoke. Inside and outside the restaurant, many people were lying on the floor while others were bleeding and crying.”
The impact of the attack was visible on the beach Saturday morning, with personal belongings such as sandals and shoes scattered across the area as people fled the scene in panic. The sight underscored the chaos and horror of the night before.
In response to the attack, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre convened a meeting with security agencies to strategize on strengthening the city’s defenses. The president’s office, through a post on X, expressed the government’s resolve to combat terrorism, emphasizing the importance of public cooperation. “The government is determined to eliminate the terrorists. The terrorists want to terrify the civilians. Let the civilians report the terrorists hiding among them,” the post read.
Al Shabaab, which once controlled large portions of Somalia, has been pushed back by government forces in recent counteroffensives. However, the group remains a potent threat, capable of launching high-casualty attacks against government, commercial, and military targets. Despite the government’s efforts to curtail their influence, the militants’ capacity for violence persists, contributing to ongoing instability in the region.
The attack has drawn widespread condemnation and solidarity from various quarters, with many expressing outrage over the senseless loss of life and calling for enhanced measures to tackle terrorism. As Mogadishu mourns the victims, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the challenges Somalia faces in its fight against extremism and the urgent need for continued vigilance and security improvements.
