Suicide Attack and Gunfire at Mogadishu Hotel Leave 32 Dead, 63 Injured

Mogadishu : A horrifying suicide attack followed by intense gunfire at a hotel near Lido Beach in Mogadishu has claimed the lives of at least 32 people and left 63 others injured on Friday night. The attack took place in Somalia's capital, targeting a location known for its popularity among traders and locals.

Eyewitnesses and police reports indicate that the suicide bomber detonated a bomb on the bustling Lido Beach, causing immediate chaos. Following the explosion, gunmen began firing indiscriminately in the area, exacerbating the devastation. The beach has been the site of previous attacks, reflecting its vulnerability despite its popularity.

The severity of the injuries sustained by many victims has raised concerns about the death toll potentially rising. Video footage from Mogadishu's Abdiaziz district shows a grim scene of bodies and injured individuals, highlighting the extent of the attack's impact. Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic and desperation, with people scrambling to escape or find safety amid the gunfire.

One eyewitness recounted seeing injured individuals on the beach, amidst a cacophony of screams and panic, making it challenging to distinguish between the dead and the living. The attack culminated with at least five fatalities among the attackers: one suicide bomber, three killed gunmen, and one captured alive, as confirmed by a police spokesperson in Mogadishu.

Local media reports attribute the attack to al-Shabab militants, a group with affiliations to al-Qaeda. Al-Shabab has a history of insurgency against Somalia's UN-backed government, controlling significant portions of southern and central Somalia. The group has claimed responsibility for the attack, stating their intent to target Somali workers and officials, as reported by the SITE intelligence group, which tracks extremist groups' online activities.

Al-Shabab, identified as the world's largest and most active al-Qaeda network by the US Africa Command last year, has been designated a terrorist organization by the US since 2008 and by a UN Security Council committee in 2010. The group has been responsible for numerous deadly attacks, including a brutal assault on an African Union military base in Somalia last year, resulting in the deaths of at least 54 Ugandan soldiers, according to Ugandan officials.

The attack on Lido Beach underscores the persistent threat posed by al-Shabab and highlights the ongoing instability and violence in Somalia, impacting both civilians and the efforts to stabilize the region.