Global outrage at Somalia terror attack

The horrific truck bomb blast in Somalia’s capital Mogadishu has sent shock waves across the nation and elicited condemnation from across the world. The death toll in the bomb blast in Mogadishu on October 14 has risen to 276. At least 300 people have been injured in the attack which has been described as one of the deadliest in the African nation in recent history.

President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed Farmaajo has declared three days of national mourning. An official statement by the president posted on twitter said: “We will observe three days of mourning for innocent victims, flags will be flown at half-mast. Time to unite and pray together. Terror won’t win.” Following the attack, Mr. Farmaajo visited the hospital in Mogadishu to meet the injured and donate blood. He said that the attack showed that the enemies of Somalian people would stop at nothing to cause pain and suffering. He exhorted people to stay united to fight terror.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack which followed the Somalian defence minister and Army Chief’s resignation two days back. However, Information Minister Abdirahman Osman blamed Islamist terror group Al-Shabab for the blast which took place when a lorry packed with explosives detonated near the entrance of a hotel in a busy junction in the city. “The death toll rises to 276 as of now and around 300 injured as a result of yesterday’s barbaric attack by terrorists’ group Al-Shabaab at KM5 junction,” he tweeted.

Several countries like Turkey, Kenya and Ethiopia have offered help to Somalia to deal with the crisis. Turkey has sent medical supplies besides flying the injured to Turkey for treatment.

The attack has been strongly condemned by world leaders. Antonio Guterres, the United Nations Secretary-General, “strongly condemned” the attack in Mogadishu and conveyed “his condolences to the bereaved families and wishes speedy recovery to the injured,” said his spokesperson Stephane Dujarric.

“The Secretary-General commends the first responders and the inhabitants of Mogadishu who have mobilised to assist the victims throughout the city. He urges all Somalis to unite in the fight against terrorism and violent extremism and work together in building a functional and inclusive federal state.” “We strongly condemn the Mogadishu terrorist attack,” Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s spokesman Ibrahim Kalin said.

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