March 2022 Somalia attacks

{{Infobox civilian attack

| title = March 2022 Somalia attacks

| partof = the Somali Civil War

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| map = {{Location map+ | Somalia|caption=Attack locations

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{{Location map~ | Somalia

| label = Beledweyne

| lat_deg = 4.735833

| lon_deg = 45.203611 }}

{{Location map~ | Somalia

| label = Aden Adde International Airport

| coordinates = {{coord|2.013611|45.304722}}

}}

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| location = Beledweyne and Aden Adde International Airport, Somalia

| target = Amina Mohamed Abdi, Government of Somalia

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| date = {{start date|2022|3|23}}

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| timezone = EAT (UTC+03:00)

| type = Mass murder, Assassination, Suicide bombing, Car bomb

| fatalities = 60+

| injuries = 108+

| victims =

| perpetrators = Al-Shabaab

| assailants =

| weapons = Car bombs, explosive belts, Automatic weapons

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}}

On 23 March 2022 in Somalia, a series of coordinated attacks by al-Shabaab jihadists in the two cities of Mogadishu and Beledweyne killed over 60 people.{{Cite web |title=US Ambassador to Somalia Condemns Al-Shabab Attacks |url=https://www.voanews.com/amp/us-ambassador-to-somalia-condemns-al-shabab-attacks/6508332.html |access-date=2022-04-01 |website=Voice of America |archive-date=2022-04-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220401070126/https://www.voanews.com/amp/us-ambassador-to-somalia-condemns-al-shabab-attacks/6508332.html |url-status=live }}

Background

Al-Shabaab are a Somali Islamist group whose insurgency began during the late 2000s. Their attacks have included many in the country's capital Mogadishu, including the deadliest bombing in African history, in October 2017. They have also often attacked Beledweyne, including suicide attacks in June 2009, October and November 2013 and February 2022.

On the week of the attack, elections in Somalia were scheduled to be held for the Federal Parliament of Somalia, ahead of the 2022 Somali presidential election. This bombing targeted candidates and polling places.{{Cite web |date=2022-03-24 |title=Female opposition MP among dozens killed in Somalia bombings |url=https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2022/mar/24/female-opposition-mp-among-dozens-killed-in-somalia-bombings |access-date=2022-03-28 |website=the Guardian |language=en |archive-date=2022-03-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220327234630/https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2022/mar/24/female-opposition-mp-among-dozens-killed-in-somalia-bombings |url-status=live }}

Attacks

=Aden Adde International Airport shooting=

On 23 March, gunmen attacked the eastern area of the Aden Adde International Airport, killing five people, including an AMISOM soldier. Two attackers also were killed.{{Cite web |title=At Least 7 Dead in Somalia After Al-Shabab Attacks |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/six-dead-after-al-shabab-attacks-mogadishu-airport-/6497463.html |access-date=2022-03-24 |website=VOA |date=23 March 2022 |language=en |archive-date=2022-03-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220323224522/https://www.voanews.com/a/six-dead-after-al-shabab-attacks-mogadishu-airport-/6497463.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last1=Sheikh |first1=Abdi |last2=Hassan |first2=Abdiqani |date=2022-03-23 |title=At least five killed in attack on Somali military base - diplomatic memo |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/somali-forces-kill-two-gunmen-trying-enter-mogadishu-army-base-state-tv-says-2022-03-23/ |access-date=2022-03-24 |archive-date=2022-03-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220323210650/https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/somali-forces-kill-two-gunmen-trying-enter-mogadishu-army-base-state-tv-says-2022-03-23/ |url-status=live }} Black smoke was seen rising out of the ground near the runway.{{Cite web |title=Somalia: Five dead in attack on military base near airport |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/3/24/somalia-five-dead-in-attack-on-military-base-near-airport |access-date=2022-03-24 |website=www.aljazeera.com |language=en |archive-date=2022-03-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220324102107/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/3/24/somalia-five-dead-in-attack-on-military-base-near-airport |url-status=live }}

=Beledweyne bombings=

The next attack occurred a few hours later,{{Cite web |last=AfricaNews |date=2022-03-24 |title=Attentats en Somalie : la députée Amina Mohamed Abdi parmi les victimes |url=https://fr.africanews.com/2022/03/24/attentats-en-somalie-la-deputee-amina-mohamed-abdi-parmi-les-victimes/ |access-date=2022-03-24 |website=Africanews |language=fr |archive-date=2022-03-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220324150648/https://fr.africanews.com/2022/03/24/attentats-en-somalie-la-deputee-amina-mohamed-abdi-parmi-les-victimes/ |url-status=live }} as Somali female Member of Parliament Amina Mohamed Abdi left a polling place in Beledweyne. A suicide bomber ran up to Abdi and kissed her before detonating{{Cite web |last=AfricaNews |date=2022-03-24 |title=Attentats en Somalie : la députée Amina Mohamed Abdi parmi les victimes |url=https://fr.africanews.com/2022/03/24/attentats-en-somalie-la-deputee-amina-mohamed-abdi-parmi-les-victimes/ |access-date=2022-09-03 |website=Africanews |language=fr |archive-date=2022-03-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220324150648/https://fr.africanews.com/2022/03/24/attentats-en-somalie-la-deputee-amina-mohamed-abdi-parmi-les-victimes/ |url-status=live }} his explosive vest,{{Cite web |title=Fatality Totals Rise in Somalia Attacks |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/fatality-totals-rise-in-somalia-attacks-/6500962.html |access-date=2022-03-25 |website=VOA |date=24 March 2022 |language=en |archive-date=2022-03-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220325010558/https://www.voanews.com/a/fatality-totals-rise-in-somalia-attacks-/6500962.html |url-status=live }} killing several people.{{Cite web |date=2022-03-24 |title=Somalie: plus de 30 morts, dont une opposante, dans une double attaque dans le centre du pays |url=https://www.rfi.fr/fr/en-bref/20220324-somalie-plus-de-30-morts-dans-une-double-attaque-mercredi-soir-dans-le-centre-du-pays |access-date=2022-03-24 |website=RFI |language=fr |archive-date=2022-03-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220324133747/https://www.rfi.fr/fr/en-bref/20220324-somalie-plus-de-30-morts-dans-une-double-attaque-mercredi-soir-dans-le-centre-du-pays |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |date=2022-03-24 |title=Death toll from Somalia attack that killed lawmaker rises to 15 - state TV |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/death-toll-somalia-attack-that-killed-lawmaker-rises-15-state-tv-2022-03-24/ |access-date=2022-03-24 |archive-date=2022-03-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220324101829/https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/death-toll-somalia-attack-that-killed-lawmaker-rises-15-state-tv-2022-03-24/ |url-status=live }} Abdi died instantly along with several bodyguards.{{Cite web |date=2022-03-24 |title=Prominent Somali female lawmaker among 15 killed in bombing |url=https://apnews.com/article/africa-bombings-somalia-suicide-bombings-mogadishu-adc7b1ec67df7785e4ff3440b7aaa6b0 |access-date=2022-03-24 |website=AP NEWS |language=en |archive-date=2022-03-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220324100756/https://apnews.com/article/africa-bombings-somalia-suicide-bombings-mogadishu-adc7b1ec67df7785e4ff3440b7aaa6b0 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=More than 30 killed in twin attacks in Somalia |url=https://news.yahoo.com/more-30-killed-twin-attacks-123315908.html |access-date=2022-03-24 |website=Yahoo! News |archive-date=2023-08-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230823073223/https://news.yahoo.com/more-30-killed-twin-attacks-123315908.html |url-status=live }}

The injured were rushed to the Beledweyne Hospital, where terrorists set off a car bomb, killing at least 30 people. The blast's impact was powerful, with the explosions destroying not only the hospital, but also nearby buildings and cars.{{Cite web |date=2022-03-24 |title=More Than 30 Killed in Twin Attacks in Central Somalia |url=https://www.thedefensepost.com/2022/03/24/30-killed-attacks-somalia/ |access-date=2022-03-24 |website=The Defense Post |archive-date=2022-03-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220324191610/https://www.thedefensepost.com/2022/03/24/30-killed-attacks-somalia/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=Death toll in central Somalia attacks now more than 30 |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world?ns_mchannel=social&ns_source=twitter&ns_campaign=bbc_live&ns_linkname=623c71064f71af55b461570c&Death%20toll%20in%20central%20Somalia%20attacks%20now%20more%20than%2030&2022-03-24T13:29:31.871Z&ns_fee=0&pinned_post_locator=urn:asset:b9de29c7-ce39-4f39-8188-7c52dfcc1b23&pinned_post_asset_id=623c71064f71af55b461570c&pinned_post_type=share |access-date=2022-03-24 |website=BBC News |archive-date=2022-03-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220324162801/https://www.bbc.com/news/world?ns_mchannel=social&ns_source=twitter&ns_campaign=bbc_live&ns_linkname=623c71064f71af55b461570c&Death%20toll%20in%20central%20Somalia%20attacks%20now%20more%20than%2030&2022-03-24T13:29:31.871Z&ns_fee=0&pinned_post_locator=urn:asset:b9de29c7-ce39-4f39-8188-7c52dfcc1b23&pinned_post_asset_id=623c71064f71af55b461570c&pinned_post_type=share |url-status=live }}

Authorities estimated that at least 48 people were killed by the bombings and 108 others injured.{{Cite news |date=2022-03-24 |title=Death toll from twin Somalia bombings rises to 48: regional leader |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/death-toll-somalia-attack-that-killed-lawmaker-rises-15-state-tv-2022-03-24/ |access-date=2022-03-24 |archive-date=2022-03-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220324101829/https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/death-toll-somalia-attack-that-killed-lawmaker-rises-15-state-tv-2022-03-24/ |url-status=live }}

=Beledweyne restaurant attack=

Al-Shabaab militants attacked a restaurant in Beledweyne, killing the retired politician Hassan Dhuhul and many others.

Aftermath

Al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for the attacks. Somali Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble and Somali President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed both condemned the attacks.{{Cite web |last=Welle (www.dw.com) |first=Deutsche |title=Somalia twin attack: Politician killed in bomb blasts {{!}} DW {{!}} 23.03.2022 |url=https://www.dw.com/en/somalia-twin-attack-politician-killed-in-bomb-blasts/a-61239115 |access-date=2022-03-26 |website=DW.COM |language=en-GB |archive-date=2022-03-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220326011543/https://www.dw.com/en/somalia-twin-attack-politician-killed-in-bomb-blasts/a-61239115 |url-status=live }} Ali Abdullahi Hussein said that the attacks were the worst such incidents in Beledweyne's history. The Lusa News Agency reported that former Education Minister Abdirahman Dahir Osman was among the injured in the attacks, but did not specify which one he was injured in.{{Cite web |last=Lusa |first=Agência |title=Pelo menos 28 mortos num duplo atentado no centro da Somália |url=https://observador.pt/2022/03/24/pelo-menos-28-mortos-num-duplo-atentado-no-centro-da-somalia/ |access-date=2022-09-03 |website=Observador |language=pt-PT |archive-date=2022-09-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220903025116/https://observador.pt/2022/03/24/pelo-menos-28-mortos-num-duplo-atentado-no-centro-da-somalia/ |url-status=live }}

The Jordanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates condemned the airport attack on 24 March, expressing condolences to the families of the victims.{{Cite web |title=Jordan condemns attack near Somalia's airport |url=https://en.royanews.tv/news/34886/2022-03-24 |access-date=2022-03-24 |website=en.royanews.tv |language=en |archive-date=2022-03-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220331220148/https://en.royanews.tv/news/34886/2022-03-24 |url-status=live }} The Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs also denounced the attacks.{{Cite web |title=From Rep. of Türkiye Ministry of Foreign Affairs |url=https://www.mfa.gov.tr/no_-101_-somali-de-duzenlenen-teror-saldirisi-hk.en.mfa |access-date=2022-03-25 |website=Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Foreign Affairs |archive-date=2022-03-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220324223710/https://www.mfa.gov.tr/no_-101_-somali-de-duzenlenen-teror-saldirisi-hk.en.mfa |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=From Rep. of Türkiye Ministry of Foreign Affairs |url=https://www.mfa.gov.tr/no_-99_-somali-de-duzenlenen-teror-saldirisi-hk.en.mfa |access-date=2022-03-25 |website=Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Foreign Affairs |archive-date=2022-03-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220324222226/https://www.mfa.gov.tr/no_-99_-somali-de-duzenlenen-teror-saldirisi-hk.en.mfa |url-status=live }}