MOGADISHU, Somalia (AP) — Hundreds of people gathered Monday at a beach hotel in Somalia, the site of an attack claimed by the East African branch of al Qaeda that left 37 people dead and dozens wounded, condemning the violence and demanding tighter security measures.
Al-Shabab reported on its radio station that its militants carried out Friday’s attack on the popular Lido Beach in the capital, Mogadishu. Witnesses said they saw one attacker wearing an explosive vest just before he blew himself up. Security forces said they killed four other militants.
Adar Sabriye, who lost her son in the attack, joined the protest to call on authorities to ensure public safety.
“Abdikani was a quiet, obedient young man who devoted his life to his studies,” she said of her son. She said he died along with several of his friends.
Another protester, Ahmed Mohamed, said the country’s security was the responsibility of every citizen and called on young people to join the fight against al-Shabaab.
“The Somali people must understand that al-Shabaab does not only target government officials and soldiers, they often kill ordinary people as well. That is why I call on everyone to wake up and save our country because there is no other place to go and this country is ours,” he said.
Al-Shabaab opposes Somalia’s federal government, which relies on support from foreign forces to remain in power.
Last year, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud declared “all-out war” on the militants as the country began taking responsibility for its own security.
Friday’s attack came a month after Somalia began the third phase of the withdrawal of peacekeepers under the African Union transition mission.
Al-Shabaab still holds sway in parts of southern and central Somalia, continues to carry out attacks in Mogadishu and other areas, and extorts millions of dollars a year from residents and businesses in its bid to impose an Islamic state.
A survivor of Friday’s attack, Omar Elmi, was also on the beach to mourn the dead and show solidarity with the victims’ families.
“We, politicians and ordinary Somalis from all walks of life, are here to show that we cannot be deterred. We will soon resume our happiness and tourism activities in the area,” he said.
Somalia has recently been the scene of attacks, and a security analyst says the government is distracted and unable to focus on security.
“The deteriorating security situation in the capital is a direct result of the government’s shift in priorities. From July 2023, the focus shifted to politics and re-election,” said security analyst Samira Gaid. “What made it worse was the pause in offensive actions against the terrorist group outside the city. It was only a matter of time before attacks inside the city would resume.”
