2024 Lido Beach attack

2024 Lido Beach attack
Part of Somali civil war (2009–present)
Lido Beach (2020)
Native name	Weeraradii Xeebta Liido
Location	Lido Beach, Mogadishu Somalia
Coordinates	2°2′25″N 45°21′49″E
Date	2 August 2024 (2024-08-02) (EAT)
Target	Beach View Hotel, Lido Beach
Attack type	Suicide bombing mass shooting shootout
Deaths	44+ (6 perpetrators, 1 security force, 37 civilians)
Injured	212+
Perpetrators	Al-Shabaab
No. of participants	7

On 2 August 2024, Al-Shabaab attacked Lido Beach in Somalia's capital Mogadishu. The attack started with a suicide bombing, followed by a mass shooting inside a hotel. Explosions and gunfire shook a hotel near the beach, with restaurants and other hotels in the area also being targeted. A suicide bomber blew themselves up near the Beach View Hotel, leading to the deaths of at least 38 people and injuries to hundreds of others.

It was the deadliest attack in the Horn of Africa since twin car bombs detonated near a busy market intersection in October 2022, killing at least 121 people and wounding 350 others.

Background

See also: Timeline of al-Shabaab-related events

Jihadist group Al-Shabaab began an insurgency in 2006, joining the Somali Civil War to impose Sharia law.

Lido Beach is a common spot to visit in Mogadishu, especially busy on Friday nights when Somalis gather to enjoy their weekend. The area has been targeted by Al-Shabaab militants before. The most recent attack before this one was in June 2023, when nine people were killed.

Beach View Hotel, a popular place on Lido Beach in Mogadishu. It is often visited by government officials and civilians. Al-Shabaab attacks locations like this to cause fear and instability, get attention for their cause, and show that they can attack even well-protected hotels and restaurants.

Attack

The attack started when a suicide bomber exploded at the entrance of the Beach View Hotel, Other attackers tried to enter the hotel and also shot and killed people on the beach. Security forces engaged in a shootout, reportedly killing some militants.

Aftermath

Security forces safely deactivated a vehicle that was full of explosives. The attack caused at least 38 deaths and at least 212 injuries. One of those killed was a soldier. The suicide bomber and the five gunmen were killed, while a seventh attacker, an attempted suicide car bomber, was arrested.

A protest was held at the site of the attack on 5 August, with demonstrators calling for stronger security measures.

Reactions

Local

The President of Puntland, Said Abdullahi Deni, along with former Presidents Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed and Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, and former Prime Ministers Abdiweli Gaas, Omar Sharmarke, and Hassan Ali Khaire, have all condemned the recent attack. Former Minister of Planning Abdirahman Abdishakur, as well as other government officials, also condemned the attack. However, the current President, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, has not yet responded.

International

Moussa Faki Mahamat, chair of the African Union Commission, expressed condolences to the relatives of the victims.

The attack was condemned by the Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, Djiboutian President Ismaïl Omar Guelleh, the United States, the United Kingdom, the United Nations Mission in Somalia, Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit, the Arab Parliament and the Turkish Foreign Ministry.

See also

Other attacks in Lido Beach:

• 2023 Mogadishu hotel attack;
• April 2022 Mogadishu bombing;
• 2020 Mogadishu hotel attack.
• January 2016 Mogadishu attack.