The number of deaths after heaviest bombing in Somali capital Mogadishu has risen to 231. More than 275 people were injured, as Senator Abshir Abdi Ahmed said by citing hospital doctors. On Saturday afternoon, a truck laden with explosives was exploding in front of a hotel in Hodan, a bustling area of city. Due to force of detonation, several buildings were destroyed or severely damaged, including diplomatic representation of Qatar. At first no one was familiar with attack.
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The bomb explosion was worst single attack ever made in nation in Horn of Africa. The Somali government blamed radical Islamic al-Shabaab militia for deed y called “national catastrophe.” “They targeted busiest area in Mogadishu and killed only civilians,” said Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaie. The United Nations special Envoy for Somalia, Michael Keating, described truck stop as abominable. An unprecedented number of civilians had been killed.
President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed also made Al-Shabaab militia responsible for attack. The aim of “terrible attack” was innocent civilians and non-governmental representatives, he said in a television address. He ordered a three-day state mourning. The deeds illustrate cruelty of ir creators who killed “without any pity” and without making a difference to innocent people. On Sunday, president visited one of hospitals in which more than 200 injured were treated.
Rescue workers searched for survivors in ruins of largely destroyed Safari hotel. The hotel is located near Somali Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The goals of extremist Al-Shabaab militia are often hotels or restaurants in which government officials run.
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The attack had such serious consequences that exact number of victims was not in same day. The Somali security representative Abdukadir Muktar spoke of hundreds of deaths and injuries. The head of medical service, Abdukadir Hajji Aden, said: “All hospitals are full of victims of explosion, which is an unprecedented tragedy.”
The Somali Minister of Information Abdirahman Omar said that explosion was greatest that Mogadishu had ever experienced. “It’s a sad day. This is so merciless and brutal. We have to fight against m, “he said in state radio.
Hospitals urgently asked population for blood donations. Like thousands of or people, Somali president also followed call.
In Somaliaund, especially in Mogadishu, re are repeated attacks by extremist group al-Shabaab (“The Young people”). The militant Sunnis associated with al-Qaeda terrorist network want to establish a so-called God state with a strict interpretation of Islamic law in country in Horn of Africa. They control some rural regions.
Since overthrow of ruler Siad Barre 1991 re is no functioning central government in Somalia. A 22,000-strong African Union force (AU) is supporting Somali forces in fight against al-Shabaab. In year 2011, y expelled Islamists from Mogadishu. Since n, militia have been committing suicide attacks, often in or in front of hotels, cafes and restaurants that are popular with foreigners and wealthy Somalis.
President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed, acting since February, declared war on al-Shabaab militia in early April. In addition, Abdullahi Mohamed exchanged Chiefs VonArmee, police and secret services. He called on population to support DieArmee in fight against Islamists.
The US military has intensified its drone attacks against Al-Shabaab militia in spring. In addition, a dozen US-American soldiers are to train Somali soldiers on site.
