2024 Lido Beach attack

{{Infobox civilian attack

| location = Lido Beach, Mogadishu Somalia

| date = {{start date and age|2024|8|2|df=yes}}

| partof = Somali civil war (2009–present)

| image = Liido Beach Muqdisho 2020.jpg

| caption = Lido Beach (2020)

| map = {{Infobox mapframe|width=250|height=180}}

| native_name = {{lang|so|Weeraradii Xeebta Liido}}

| native_name_lang = so

| coordinates = {{Coord|2|2|25|N|45|21|49|E|region:SO-MOG_type:event|display=inline,title}}

| timezone = EAT

| target = Beach View Hotel, Lido Beach

| type = {{Hlist|Suicide bombing|mass shooting|shootout}}

| fatalities = 56+ (Including 6 perpetrators){{Cite web |date=August 3, 2024 |title=Lido Beach Massacre Exposes Mogadishu's Security Vulnerabilities |url=https://thesomalidigest.com/lido-beach-massacre-exposes-mogadishus-security-vulnerabilities/ |access-date=October 14, 2024 |publisher=The Somali Digest |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2024-08-03 |title=Somali beach attack kills 32, police say |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c0krke24lwdo/ |access-date=2024-08-03 |website=BBC |language=en-UK |archive-date=3 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240803094808/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c0krke24lwdo |url-status=live }}

| injuries = 212+{{Cite web |date=August 2, 2024 |title=Somalia beach attack kills 37 civilians, minister says |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/explosion-goes-off-beach-somali-capital-prime-minister-says-2024-08-02/ |access-date=August 4, 2024 |website=Reuters |language=en}}

| perpetrators = {{flagicon image|ShabaabFlag.svg}} Al-Shabaab{{cite web | url=https://apnews.com/article/somalia-attack-lido-beach-al-shabab-ed5caaba6f6598f0e9c1c97615d910e0?utm_source=copy&utm_medium=share | title=Explosion and gunfire rock hotel at popular beach in Somalia's capital, witnesses say | website=Associated Press | date=2 August 2024 }}

| numparts = 7

| motive =

}}{{Campaignbox Somali Civil War (2009–present)}}

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.{{Cite web |date=August 2, 2024 |title=Militants storm beachside hotel in Somalia's capital |url=https://english.news.cn/africa/20240803/c7ba26e4cb81498d9107a2984ffba5be/c.html |access-date=August 2, 2024 |website=Xinhua Net |language=en |archive-date=2 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240802230738/https://english.news.cn/africa/20240803/c7ba26e4cb81498d9107a2984ffba5be/c.html |url-status=live }} 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 50 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.{{Cite web |date=2024-08-05 |title=Somalia beach attack kills 37 civilians, minister says |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/explosion-goes-off-beach-somali-capital-prime-minister-says-2024-08-02/ |access-date=2024-08-23 |website=Reuters}}{{Cite news |last=Mohamed |first=Hussein |date=2024-08-03 |title=Terrorist Attack on Crowded Beachfront in Somalia Kills at Least 32 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/03/world/africa/terrorist-attack-somalia-al-shabab.html?smid=url-share |access-date=2024-08-22 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}

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.{{cite web |date=9 June 2023 |title=Several killed in hotel siege in Somalia's Mogadishu |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/6/9/somalias-al-shabaab-attack-hotel-in-mogadishu |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230610065011/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/6/9/somalias-al-shabaab-attack-hotel-in-mogadishu |archive-date=10 June 2023 |access-date=10 June 2023 |website=Al Jazeera}}

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.{{Cite web |date=2023-06-10 |title=Police in Somalia say nine killed in extremist attack on beachside hotel in Mogadishu |url=https://apnews.com/article/somalia-extremism-attack-mogadishu-hotel-alshabab-5c442379d8ed3223350d40fdea7a5e75 |access-date=2024-08-02 |website=AP News |language=en |archive-date=2 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240802223050/https://apnews.com/article/somalia-extremism-attack-mogadishu-hotel-alshabab-5c442379d8ed3223350d40fdea7a5e75 |url-status=live }}

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.{{Cite web |date=2024-08-03 |title=Carnage at Mogadishu Liido Beach: Al-Shabaab Attack Claims Scores of Lives |url=http://hornobserver.com/articles/2883/Carnage-at-Mogadishu-Liido-Beach-Al-Shabaab-Attack-Claims-Scores-of-Lives |access-date=2024-08-03 |website=hornobserver.com |language=English |archive-date=3 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240803124236/https://hornobserver.com/articles/2883/Carnage-at-Mogadishu-Liido-Beach-Al-Shabaab-Attack-Claims-Scores-of-Lives |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=Somali police say 32 people died in hotel attack. Al-Shabab claimed responsibility |url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/somali-police-32-people-died-attack-beach-hotel-112533872 |access-date=2024-08-03 |website=ABC News |language=en |archive-date=3 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240803124234/https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/somali-police-32-people-died-attack-beach-hotel-112533872 |url-status=live }}

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.{{Cite web |last=𝕯𝖗. 𝐗𝐈𝐃𝐃𝐈𝐆 |date=2024-08-02 |title=Mogadishu Rocked by Deadly Suicide Bombing at Popular Beachside Restaurant |url=https://www.idilnews.com/mogadishu-rocked-by-deadly-suicide-bombing-at-popular-beachside-restaurant/ |access-date=2024-08-03 |website=Idil News |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Suicide Bomber Targets Popular Mogadishu Beach View Restaurant, Multiple Fatalities Reported |date=2 August 2024 |url=https://nomadicvoice.com/suicide-bomber-targets-popular-mogadishu-beach-view-restaurant-multiple-fatalities-reported/ |access-date=2024-08-03 |language=en-US |archive-date=3 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240803005409/https://nomadicvoice.com/suicide-bomber-targets-popular-mogadishu-beach-view-restaurant-multiple-fatalities-reported/ |url-status=live }}

Aftermath

Security forces safely deactivated a vehicle that was full of explosives.{{Cite web |last=𝕯𝖗. 𝐗𝐈𝐃𝐃𝐈𝐆 |date=2024-08-03 |title=Mogadishu:Lido Beach Attack Claims Over 30 Lives And Injures More Than 150 |url=https://www.idilnews.com/mogadishulido-beach-attack-claims-over-30-lives-and-injures-more-than-150/ |access-date=2024-08-03 |website=Idil News |language=en-US |archive-date=4 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240804094324/https://www.idilnews.com/mogadishulido-beach-attack-claims-over-30-lives-and-injures-more-than-150/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=2024-08-03 |title=Tirada dadka ku dhintay qaraxii Liido oo korortey |trans-title=The death toll from the Lido explosion has increased |url=https://www.voasomali.com/a/7728612.html |access-date=2024-08-18 |website=Voice of America |language=so}}{{Cite web |date=2024-08-03 |title=At least 37 killed in terrorist attack on popular Mogadishu beach|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/article/2024/aug/03/terrorist-attack-mogadishu-beach-somalia |access-date=2024-08-04 |website=The Guardian |language=en-UK }} One of those killed was a soldier. The suicide bomber and the five gunmen were killed,{{Cite web |title=At least 32 killed in suicide bomb and gun attack on busy Mogadishu beach |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/8/3/al-shabab-lido-beach-attack-somalia-mogadishu |access-date=2024-08-03 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en |archive-date=4 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240804094230/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/8/3/al-shabab-lido-beach-attack-somalia-mogadishu |url-status=live }} 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.{{Cite web |title=Hundreds gather at Somalia beach to condemn attack that killed 37 and demand stronger security |url=https://apnews.com/article/somalia-protests-lido-beach-alshabab-qaeda-ab73bc372276550ca27020fae0677f2f |access-date=2024-08-05 |website=Associated Press |date=5 August 2024 |language=en }}

= UK in Somalia =

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) advises those in Mogadishu to remain vigilant and avoid crowded areas following the Top Coffee bombing in July and the Lido Beach attack.{{Cite web |title=Somalia travel advice |url=https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/somalia |access-date=2024-08-18 |website=GOV.UK |language=en}}

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,{{Cite web |title=Abiy Ahmed Ali |url=https://x.com/AbiyAhmedAli/status/1819718575638139205}}{{Cite web |date=2024-08-03 |title=PM Abiy extends condolences over terrorist attack on Mogadishu's popular beach |url=https://www.fanabc.com/english/pm-abiy-extends-condolences-over-terrorist-attack-on-mogadishus-popular-beach/ |access-date=2024-08-03 |website=Fana Broadcasting |language=en-US |archive-date=3 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240803213029/https://www.fanabc.com/english/pm-abiy-extends-condolences-over-terrorist-attack-on-mogadishus-popular-beach/ |url-status=live }} Djiboutian President Ismaïl Omar Guelleh,{{Cite web |title=Ismail Omar Guelleh |url=https://x.com/IsmailOguelleh/status/1819765844269727826?t=HECv0-xv6ujx0gkxBqA6AA&s=09}} the United States,{{Cite web |title=US Embassy in Somalia |url=https://x.com/US2SOMALIA/status/1819696579521175899}} the United Kingdom,{{Cite web |title=UK in Somalia |url=https://x.com/UKinSomalia/status/1819820033440133476}} the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia,{{Cite web |date=2024-08-03 |title=United Nations condemns terrorist attack on Mogadishu beach |url=https://unsom.unmissions.org/united-nations-condemns-terrorist-attack-mogadishu-beach |access-date=2024-08-03 |website=UNSOM |language=en |archive-date=3 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240803213026/https://unsom.unmissions.org/united-nations-condemns-terrorist-attack-mogadishu-beach |url-status=live }} Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit, the Arab Parliamenthttps://www.sis.gov.eg/Story/194031/Abul-Gheit-condemns-Mogadishu-terrorist-attack?lang=en-us{{Cite web |title=Arab Parliament Denounces Terrorist Attack in Mogadishu |url=https://english.aawsat.com/node/5047060 |access-date=2024-08-04 |website=english.aawsat.com |language=en}} and the Turkish Foreign Ministry.{{Cite web |title=Türkiye condemns deadly terrorist attack in Somalia |url=https://www.aa.com.tr/en/turkiye/turkiye-condemns-deadly-terrorist-attack-in-somalia/3294107 |access-date=2024-08-03 |website=www.aa.com.tr |archive-date=4 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240804014812/https://www.aa.com.tr/en/turkiye/turkiye-condemns-deadly-terrorist-attack-in-somalia/3294107 |url-status=live }}

= Individuals =

The secretary of state for foreign, Commonwealth and development affairs, David Lammy tweeted;

{{Tweet

| name = David Lammy

| username = DavidLammy

| date = August 4, 2024

| text = 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.

| ID = 1820122230875144522

}}