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Monday, August 5, 2024
MOGADISHU (HOL) – Hundreds of Mogadishu residents protested on Sunday following a deadly al-Shabaab attack on a popular beachfront hotel in the Somali capital on Friday night that left 40 people dead and 140 injured.
Security forces blocked streets leading to Lido Beach, where the demonstrations took place. Government officials, including ministers, joined demonstrators, who held Somali flags and posters with anti-Al-Shabaab slogans and chanted along the beach where the attack took place.
Ilyas Muhudin, a youth who helped the victims of the attack, called on the youth to unite and support the government. “If we support each other today, we can overcome the current problems tomorrow,” he said. “Al-Shabaab cannot stand in our way; we will work for the development of the country.”
Abdirahman Rage, a rescuer at the time of the incident, recounted the chaotic scene as the militants opened fire. “As the gunfire flew around me, I decided to do what I could for my people. I saved one wounded person and luckily, I was not injured,” he said. “I am sure we will defeat Al-Shabaab. If they had many chances to kill us, now I am sure their end is near.”
Abdikafi Mohamed Makaran, chairman of the Banadir Youth Association, called on Somali youth to defend the country against attacks by the al-Shabaab. Makaran said: “Today we protest against al-Shabaab and pray for the victims. Let the young people get rid of those who cause harm, because in attacks, it is often the young people who die or are injured.”
Somalia’s Minister of Youth and Sports, Mohamed Ibrahim Barre, called on young people to rise up against the brutality of the al-Shabaab. Mogadishu’s deputy mayor for security and political affairs, Mohamed Ahmed Diriye Yabu, stressed that the rally sent a strong signal to the militant group.
“Most of those gathered here today are young people, and they are sending a message to al-Shabaab that this country and this people belong to them. The group is not attacking leaders or the army, but the people,” Yabu said.
At 10 p.m. local time on Friday, a suicide bomber detonated an explosive device at the entrance of the Lido Beach Hotel, and five attackers then rushed into the hotel, targeting people who were dining, swimming or walking.
According to police spokesman Abdifitah Aden Hassan, security forces killed all the attackers and captured one who was driving a car loaded with explosives. One soldier was killed and another was injured in the exchange of fire.
Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre announced on Sunday that several military officers had been arrested in connection with the attack. He said the government was taking strict measures to hold officers on duty at Lido Beach accountable, but did not disclose the number or identities of the arrested officers.
Barre described the attack as a “barbaric atrocity” that went against Somali values and called for unified support for the victims and continued urgent operations.
President Hassan Sheikh Mahmoud and Prime Minister Barre held an emergency security meeting on Saturday to discuss how to deal with the current situation and discuss measures to strengthen security in the capital. President Mahmoud stressed the government’s commitment to eradicating Al-Shabaab and urged the public to cooperate with security agencies.
In March, the government arrested 16 suspects in connection with the March 14 attack on the upscale SYL Hotel near the presidential palace in Mogadishu.
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