On August 2, 2024, Lido Beach in Mogadishu, Somalia, was the site of a brutal four-hour attack. Al-Shabab militants stormed a seaside hotel, leading to the demise of at least 37 people, and injuring at least 212.
The attack started when a suicide bomber detonated an explosive device at the hotel’s entrance. Gunmen then fired upon the crowd gathered on the beach, a popular spot for weekend relaxation. Eyewitness Mohamud Moalim saw an attacker wearing an explosive vest moments before the explosion near the hotel with a beach view. Moalim sadly lost multiple friends in the attack, and several others were injured.
Abdisalam Adam, another witness, detailed the horrific aftermath of the attack. With numerous people lying on the ground, he helped transport some of the injured to nearby hospitals. What was once a bustling Friday evening quickly turned into a scene of chaos and devastation.
Following the attack, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud held emergency meetings with security officials to discuss the situation. The government has since arrested several security personnel for negligence and established a ministerial committee to manage emergency responses. “The government is determined to eliminate the terrorists,” stated President Mohamud, asking citizens to report any suspicious activities.
Al-Shabab, an affiliate of al-Qaida, remains a tenacious threat in Somalia, maintaining control over parts of the southern and central regions. The group has previously targeted Lido Beach, including an earlier attack that claimed nine lives. Despite losing territory to Somali forces and their allies, al-Shabab can still carry out significant attacks.
The global community has condemned the attack. The U.N. Secretary-General’s Acting Special Representative for Somalia, James Swan, described the assault as an “abhorrent act” while expressing support for Somalia’s peace and stability efforts. Regional leaders, including Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Djibouti President Ismail Omar Guelleh, denounced the attack and highlighted the need for a united front against terrorism.
In a separate incident on the same day, a roadside bomb killed seven people and injured four others 25 miles from Mogadishu. This incident underscores Somalia’s volatile security situation and the challenges the government confronts in its fight against al-Shabab.
Survivors of the Lido Beach attack are grappling with the traumatic experience of witnessing such violence. Hassan Farah, one of the survivors, recounted sipping coffee and conversing with friends when he saw a big man running. Then came a bright flash, followed by a huge explosion. Smoke filled the area, and the restaurant was filled with people on the ground, bleeding and crying.
Efforts to stabilize Somalia are ongoing, with President Mohamud’s government focusing on military campaigns against al-Shabab and initiatives to bolster governance and economic development. As Somalia navigates the arduous journey toward lasting peace and security, the support of the international community remains imperative.
