MOGADISHU – An Al-Shabaab suicide bomber and gunmen attacked the bustling Lido beach in Somalia’s capital Mogadishu, resulting in the deaths of at least 32 people and injuring scores more, police reported on Aug 3.
The Al-Qaeda-linked jihadist group, which has been engaged in a prolonged insurgency against Somalia’s federal government for over 17 years, claimed responsibility for the attack that targeted an area frequented by business people and officials. Unverified videos circulating online showed chaos and bloodied bodies on the beachfront immediately after the attack.
Police spokesman Abdifatah Adan Hassan confirmed, “More than 32 civilians died in this attack and about 63 others were wounded, some critically.” He condemned the attackers for indiscriminately targeting civilians, a departure from their usual focus on government centers and officials.
The assault began late on Aug 2 with a suicide bomber detonating an explosive device, followed by gunmen opening fire on the crowd. Security forces eventually ended the attack, killing five gunmen while a sixth detonated himself.
Witnesses described scenes of panic and devastation. Hawo Mohamed, a local resident, reported the deaths of seven acquaintances. Another witness, Ahmed Yare, recounted seeing numerous wounded people on the beach, adding to the confusion and horror of the incident.
Hospitals issued urgent appeals for blood donations as they struggled to treat the influx of injured victims. Abdulkhaliq Osman of Kalkaal hospital reported receiving scores of injured individuals, with several in critical condition requiring immediate surgery.
African Union Commission chairman Moussa Faki Mahamat condemned the attack as “horrific” and “callous” in a tweet, extending condolences to the victims.
This latest attack underscores the persistent threat posed by Al-Shabaab in Somalia, despite ongoing government offensives against the group. The Lido beach area has been a frequent target, including a 2023 siege that left six civilians dead and a July car bomb blast at a local cafe that killed five people.
As Somalia continues to grapple with Al-Shabaab’s insurgency, the international community remains watchful of the group’s impact on regional stability.