At least 32 people were killed and many others injured in a suicide bombing and gun attack on Lido beach, a popular area in Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu, on Friday night.

The assault, claimed by al-Qaeda-linked group al-Shabab on Saturday, August 3, has left the city in shock and mourning.

The violence began when a suicide bomber detonated an explosive device at the entrance of Beach View Hotel, a bustling venue on the beach.

Following the blast, attackers attempted to storm the hotel and opened fire on people enjoying the beach, according to witnesses and police reports.

“More than 32 civilians died in this attack, and about 63 others were wounded, some of them critically,” said police spokesman Abdifatah Adan Hassan, revising the initial death toll.

Hassan confirmed that security forces killed all the attackers at the scene and captured one suspect driving a car loaded with explosives. One soldier was killed, and another was injured during the incident.

Mohamud Moalim, a witness, described the terrifying moments, saying he saw an attacker wearing an explosive vest just before the man “blew himself up next to the Beach View hotel.” Moalim’s friends, who were with him at the hotel, were among the casualties.

Another witness, Abdilatif Ali, recounted the chaos that followed the explosion. “Everybody was panicked, and it was hard to know what was happening because shooting started soon after the blast,” he said.

Ali added that people desperately sought cover or tried to flee the scene. “I saw many people strewn [on the ground], some dead and others wounded,” he said.

The Somali federal government condemned the attack, with state media broadcasting the news on Saturday. Former Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire expressed his “deepest condolences to the families, relatives, and friends” of those killed in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Khaire emphasized the attackers’ cruelty, noting, “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.”

Popular Beach Often Targeted by Militants

Lido beach is a well-loved spot in Mogadishu, particularly busy on Friday nights as residents gather to relax and enjoy their weekend.

However, this area has repeatedly been a target for al-Shabab militants. The group has been waging an insurgency against the central government for over 17 years, frequently launching bombings and attacks in the capital and other regions.

The Somali government relies heavily on foreign troops for its defense and has partnered with local armed groups in a campaign supported by the African Union and United States air raids to combat al-Shabab.

Despite these efforts, the offensive has faced significant challenges. Earlier this year, al-Shabab claimed control of several locations in central Somalia.

In June, the Somali government requested a delay in the withdrawal of an African peacekeeping mission, known as ATMIS, which is slated to conclude by December 31.

This extension is seen as crucial in maintaining stability and support for the government’s fight against the insurgents.

As Mogadishu mourns the victims of this latest attack, the city remains on high alert, grappling with the ongoing threat posed by al-Shabab. The resilience of its people and the continued support from international allies remain vital in the fight against extremism.