Survivors Reveal: Amidst Terror, Police Shoot Fleeing Victims During Mogadishu Attack

by: Horn Observer Contributor | 05 August 2024 05:19

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Survivors Reveal: Amidst Terror, Police Shoot Fleeing Victims During Mogadishu Attack

MOGADISHU, Somalia (HORN OBSERVER + KAAB TV) – The calm of a bustling Friday evening at Mogadishu's Beach View restaurant was shattered by violence and chaos.

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Survivors of the Liido Beach attack recount horror as new details emerge.

MOGADISHU, Somalia (HORN OBSERVER + KAAB TV) – The calm of a bustling Friday evening at Mogadishu's Beach View restaurant was shattered by violence and chaos.

Known for its picturesque view of Liido beach, the restaurant was packed with young revellers, including Amina and her sister, who had arrived just after 6:00 pm. Despite the busy scene, the lively atmosphere with music and laughter filling the background made the wait for a seat bearable.

Tragically, the evening took a horrific turn when a suicide bomber detonated an explosive device nearby. In the ensuing chaos, Amina's younger sister, Amran, a university student, was killed as she sought refuge.

Amina, who sustained non-life-threatening injuries and is now recovering in a city hospital, described the traumatic events: "My sister was torn apart by the explosion. I was injured, but I’m recovering.”

The violence did not end with the bombings. As gunmen entered the restaurant, the attack claimed at least 50 lives and left nearly 100 injured, according to various reports including local hospitals and ambulance workers.

Official figures from the police and health ministry differ, with 32 and 40 reported deaths respectively.

Adding to the tragedy, survivors reported that police officers at nearby checkpoints began firing on civilians fleeing the scene.

Hamdi Mohamed witnessed the police shooting a young man trying to escape: "The police shot him several times. It’s unacceptable that while terrorists were killing those inside and police were shooting the civilians fleeing the carnage.”

Ismahan Ali Yusuf, a tea vendor selling cheap tea on the beach, also survived the attack and criticized the police's response: "Many victims were hit by police gunfire."

"I urge the security forces to avoid shooting at civilians during such attacks," she appealed as she addressed the media at the scene.

PHOTO: Ismahan Ali Yusuf, a tea vendor survived the terror attack.

The aftermath on Saturday morning was a scene of devastation, with volunteers discovering bodies and wreckage scattered around the area while chasing away stray dogs eagerly smelling the human flesh.

The beach was strewn with the lifeless bodies of young victims, while smashed restaurant tables lay amidst the debris before rescuers were allowed to collect them.

On the street in front of the Beach View restaurant, the scene was equally grim: burned vehicles, partially destroyed buildings, and scattered, abandoned shoes marked the aftermath of the violence.

The investigation revealed that the attackers used a suicide Toyota SUV car loaded with explosives and managed to breach numerous checkpoints, raising serious questions about security lapses. The vehicle was safely detonated on Saturday.

A senior officer from the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) noted that the attackers were believed to have used government-issued IDs and military uniforms to gain access to the beach area. The origin of these items remains unclear.

PHOTO: On the street in front of the Beach View restaurant, the scene was equally grim: burned vehicles, partially destroyed buildings marked the aftermath of the violence.

"An investigation is ongoing and there are officers arrested," said the source requesting anonymity as he is not authorised to speak on the attack.

In response, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has questioned security officials and has seen several junior officers detained. However, the official statements have yet to address the police shootings or the attackers' access to military gear and ID cards.

The militant group al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement released afterward.

On Sunday, Villa Somalia released a statement saying that "President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud questioned the security agency officials about how the attack occurred."

Security sources also said several junior security officers were detained in connection with the attack.

The president’s statement did not mention the arrests and refrained from addressing questions about the military uniforms and the ID cards used by the attackers, as well as the police shooting that killed survivors.

PHOTO: The aftermath on Saturday morning was a scene of devastation, with volunteers discovering bodies and wreckage scattered around the area.

The UK, U.S., and UN condemned the attack.

British Foreign Secretary David Lammy stated, "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."

The UK also urged British-Somali nationals affected by the attack to contact its Nairobi embassy.

"We offer our condolences to the victims’ loved ones and wish a quick recovery to those injured. The United States and Somalia have a common interest in advancing peace and prosperity," the U.S. Embassy said in a post on X.

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