On 2 August 2024, Al-Shabaab attacked Lido Beach in Somalia's capital Mogadishu. The attack started with a suicide bombing, followed by a mass shooting inside a hotel.[5] Explosions and gunfire shook a hotel near the beach, with restaurants and other hotels in the area also being targeted. A suicide bomber blew themselves up near the Beach View Hotel, leading to the deaths of at least 50 people and injuries to hundreds of others.[6]
| 2024 Lido Beach attack | |
|---|---|
| Part of Somali civil war (2009–present) | |
 Lido Beach (2020) | |
 | |
| Native name | Weeraradii Xeebta Liido |
| Location | Lido Beach, Mogadishu Somalia |
| Coordinates | 2°2′25″N 45°21′49″E / 2.04028°N 45.36361°E |
| Date | 2 August 2024 (EAT) |
| Target | Beach View Hotel, Lido Beach |
Attack type | |
| Deaths | 56+ (Including 6 perpetrators)[1][2] |
| Injured | 212+[3] |
| Perpetrators |  Al-Shabaab[4] |
No. of participants | 7 |
It was the deadliest attack in the Horn of Africa since twin car bombs detonated near a busy market intersection in October 2022, killing at least 121 people and wounding 350 others.[7][8]
Background
editJihadist group Al-Shabaab began an insurgency in 2006, joining the Somali Civil War to impose Sharia law.[9]
Lido Beach is a common spot to visit in Mogadishu, especially busy on Friday nights when Somalis gather to enjoy their weekend. The area has been targeted by Al-Shabaab militants before. The most recent attack before this one was in June 2023, when nine people were killed.[10]
Beach View Hotel, a popular place on Lido Beach in Mogadishu. It is often visited by government officials and civilians. Al-Shabaab attacks locations like this to cause fear and instability, get attention for their cause, and show that they can attack even well-protected hotels and restaurants.[11][12]
Attack
editThe attack started when a suicide bomber exploded at the entrance of the Beach View Hotel, Other attackers tried to enter the hotel and also shot and killed people on the beach. Security forces engaged in a shootout, reportedly killing some militants.[13][14]
Aftermath
editSecurity forces safely deactivated a vehicle that was full of explosives.[15][16][6] One of those killed was a soldier. The suicide bomber and the five gunmen were killed,[17] while a seventh attacker, an attempted suicide car bomber, was arrested.[2]
A protest was held at the site of the attack on 5 August, with demonstrators calling for stronger security measures.[18]
UK in Somalia
editThe Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) advises those in Mogadishu to remain vigilant and avoid crowded areas following the Top Coffee bombing in July and the Lido Beach attack.[19]
Reactions
editLocal
editThe President of Puntland, Said Abdullahi Deni, along with former Presidents Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed and Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, and former Prime Ministers Abdiweli Gaas, Omar Sharmarke, and Hassan Ali Khaire, have all condemned the recent attack. Former Minister of Planning Abdirahman Abdishakur, as well as other government officials, also condemned the attack. However, the current President, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, has not yet responded.[6]
International
editMoussa Faki Mahamat, chair of the African Union Commission, expressed condolences to the relatives of the victims.[2]
The attack was condemned by the Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed,[20][21] Djiboutian President Ismaïl Omar Guelleh,[22] the United States,[23] the United Kingdom,[24] the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia,[25] Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit, the Arab Parliament[26][27] and the Turkish Foreign Ministry.[28]
Individuals
editThe secretary of state for foreign, Commonwealth and development affairs, David Lammy tweeted;
David Lammy @DavidLammy
The attack on Lido Beach was a horrific and cowardly act of terrorism. My thoughts are with the victims and their families following this unforgivable tragedy.
The UK stands shoulder to shoulder with Somalia in the fight against terrorism.
August 4, 2024[29]
See also
editOther attacks in Lido Beach:
References
edit- ^ "Lido Beach Massacre Exposes Mogadishu's Security Vulnerabilities". The Somali Digest. 3 August 2024. Retrieved 14 October 2024.
- ^ a b c "Somali beach attack kills 32, police say". BBC. 3 August 2024. Archived from the original on 3 August 2024. Retrieved 3 August 2024.
- ^ "Somalia beach attack kills 37 civilians, minister says". Reuters. 2 August 2024. Retrieved 4 August 2024.
- ^ "Explosion and gunfire rock hotel at popular beach in Somalia's capital, witnesses say". Associated Press. 2 August 2024.
- ^ "Militants storm beachside hotel in Somalia's capital". Xinhua Net. 2 August 2024. Archived from the original on 2 August 2024. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
- ^ a b c "At least 37 killed in terrorist attack on popular Mogadishu beach". The Guardian. 3 August 2024. Retrieved 4 August 2024.
- ^ "Somalia beach attack kills 37 civilians, minister says". Reuters. 5 August 2024. Retrieved 23 August 2024.
- ^ Mohamed, Hussein (3 August 2024). "Terrorist Attack on Crowded Beachfront in Somalia Kills at Least 32". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 22 August 2024.
- ^ "Several killed in hotel siege in Somalia's Mogadishu". Al Jazeera. 9 June 2023. Archived from the original on 10 June 2023. Retrieved 10 June 2023.
- ^ "Police in Somalia say nine killed in extremist attack on beachside hotel in Mogadishu". AP News. 10 June 2023. Archived from the original on 2 August 2024. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
- ^ "Carnage at Mogadishu Liido Beach: Al-Shabaab Attack Claims Scores of Lives". hornobserver.com. 3 August 2024. Archived from the original on 3 August 2024. Retrieved 3 August 2024.
- ^ "Somali police say 32 people died in hotel attack. Al-Shabab claimed responsibility". ABC News. Archived from the original on 3 August 2024. Retrieved 3 August 2024.
- ^ 𝕯𝖗. 𝐗𝐈𝐃𝐃𝐈𝐆 (2 August 2024). "Mogadishu Rocked by Deadly Suicide Bombing at Popular Beachside Restaurant". Idil News. Retrieved 3 August 2024.
- ^ "Suicide Bomber Targets Popular Mogadishu Beach View Restaurant, Multiple Fatalities Reported". 2 August 2024. Archived from the original on 3 August 2024. Retrieved 3 August 2024.
- ^ 𝕯𝖗. 𝐗𝐈𝐃𝐃𝐈𝐆 (3 August 2024). "Mogadishu:Lido Beach Attack Claims Over 30 Lives And Injures More Than 150". Idil News. Archived from the original on 4 August 2024. Retrieved 3 August 2024.
- ^ "Tirada dadka ku dhintay qaraxii Liido oo korortey" [The death toll from the Lido explosion has increased]. Voice of America (in Somali). 3 August 2024. Retrieved 18 August 2024.
- ^ "At least 32 killed in suicide bomb and gun attack on busy Mogadishu beach". Al Jazeera. Archived from the original on 4 August 2024. Retrieved 3 August 2024.
- ^ "Hundreds gather at Somalia beach to condemn attack that killed 37 and demand stronger security". Associated Press. 5 August 2024. Retrieved 5 August 2024.
- ^ "Somalia travel advice". GOV.UK. Retrieved 18 August 2024.
- ^ "Abiy Ahmed Ali".
- ^ "PM Abiy extends condolences over terrorist attack on Mogadishu's popular beach". Fana Broadcasting. 3 August 2024. Archived from the original on 3 August 2024. Retrieved 3 August 2024.
- ^ "Ismail Omar Guelleh".
- ^ "US Embassy in Somalia".
- ^ "UK in Somalia".
- ^ "United Nations condemns terrorist attack on Mogadishu beach". UNSOM. 3 August 2024. Archived from the original on 3 August 2024. Retrieved 3 August 2024.
- ^ https://www.sis.gov.eg/Story/194031/Abul-Gheit-condemns-Mogadishu-terrorist-attack?lang=en-us
- ^ "Arab Parliament Denounces Terrorist Attack in Mogadishu". english.aawsat.com. Retrieved 4 August 2024.
- ^ "Türkiye condemns deadly terrorist attack in Somalia". www.aa.com.tr. Archived from the original on 4 August 2024. Retrieved 3 August 2024.
- ^ David Lammy [@DavidLammy] (4 August 2024). "The attack on Lido Beach was a horrific and cowardly act of terrorism. My thoughts are with the victims and their families following this unforgivable tragedy. The UK stands shoulder to shoulder with Somalia in the fight against terrorism" (Tweet) – via Twitter.