By V.E.K.Madhushani, Jadetimes News
Militant Assault in Mogadishu Leaves Dozens Wounded
At least 32 people were killed and several others injured after a suicide bomber and gunmen targeted a popular beachfront location in the Somali capital, a police spokesman said on Saturday.
Abdifatah Adan Hassan reported that around 63 people were wounded, some critically.
Video footage showed bodies and injured individuals in Mogadishu's Abdiaziz district. Local media reported that the attack was carried out by al Shabab militants, who control large parts of southern and central Somalia. The group, affiliated with al Qaeda, has waged a brutal insurgency against the UN backed government in Somalia for nearly 20 years.
One eyewitness told AFP news agency that people were in a state of panic, as "it was hard to know what was happening because shooting started soon after the blast." Abdilatif Ali described how some people attempted to take cover on the ground, while others tried to flee the location.
"I saw wounded people at the beachside. People were screaming in panic, and it was hard to notice who was dead and who was still alive," he added.
At least five attackers were responsible for the assault. Mr. Hassan said one attacker blew himself up, while three others were killed. One attacker was captured alive, according to the police spokesman.
Moussa Faki Mahamat, chair of the African Union Commission, described the attack as "horrific" and "callous," sending his deepest condolences to those who lost loved ones in the deadly assault at Liido beach.
Abdulkhaliq Osman from Kalkaal hospital said several people were receiving care, with 11 being transferred to the operations unit due to their critical injuries, while some with minor injuries were sent home after receiving medical attention.
