Somalia attack draws global condemnation, prayer for victims

MOGADISHU, Somalia - Saturday's deadly assault by suspected Al-Shabaab terrorists has left Somalia's international partners fuming, a move that would lead to more stringent measures in curbing terrorism.

At least 90 people have been confirmed dead with dozens injured following the suicide car bomb attack in Mogadishu, authorities said, without giving many details.

United Nations has led the international community, including Djibouti, UAE, Turkey, AU, IGAD, EU, US and Qatar in standing in solidarity with Somalia, terming the attack "cowardly and unprecedented".

Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, said the UN will continue to support the people and Somalia government.

"The Secretary-General reiterates the full commitment of the United Nations to support the people and Government of Somalia in their pursuit of peace and development," read the statement.

Although no group has taken immediate responsibility following the deadliest attack, Somalia President Mohamed Farmajo blamed Al-Shabaab militants.

While condemning the attack, Farmajo insisted that the government will continue to work with the international community to defeat the group.

Farmajo said: “They don’t build schools, they don’t build health centers, they don’t feed the children...they are contracted on preventing progress”.

AIRLIFTING WOUNDED PEOPLE TO TURKEY

Turkey, one of Somalia's major donors, pledged to airlift those critically wounded to Ankara for treatment, a sign of solidarity with Mogadishu administration.

The attack left two Turkish nationals dead. The two, Somalia's Foreign Affairs Minister Ahmed Awad said, were part of the construction team.

Already, Turkey's foreign team said, "Turkish military cargo airplane has been dispatched to Mogadishu to bring the injured Somalia citizens to Turkey for treatment."

Together with Qatar, the Turkish government has been funding infrastructural projects in Somalia, besides calling shots in the country's political stability.

US AND KENYA BLAME AL-SHABAAB

Kenya, Somalia's traditional neighbor which has also suffered Al-Shabaab attacks, termed the incident "heinous act of terror that has caused many deaths and left a trail of destruction".

Monica Juma, Nairobi's Foreign Affairs minister, added that "Kenya remains steadfast in its solidarity with Somalia in the fight against terrorism in all its forms".

Al-Shabaab militants have often carried attacks in East Africa but Saturday's onslaught was the third-worst in the pretext of targeting civilians.

The US has also linked the attack to Al-Shabaab, adding that the group remains a major threat to stability in Somalia.

"Too early to say for sure, but the attack bears the hallmark of al-Shabab. Another grim reminder of the terror threat that remains," said Adam Schiff, Congress Intelligence chairman.

Ismael Omar, the Djibouti president, said:"We express our solidarity and compassion with the Somali people and their government."

INTERNAL BLAME GAMES

While the international community has blamed Al-Shabaab and committed to helping Somalia, politicians have continued to blame each other following the attack.

Earlier, authorities in Somalia contradicted themselves on the number of casualties, leading to outright condemnation from among politicians.

While the deaths stood at around 90, some government officials were captured by the media "planning to lie to the public".

Abdrizack Mohamed, a Somali MP said, "This is a dereliction of responsibility to treat victims of this horrific attack as numbers you can play around."

Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, a former president and leader of FNP, accused the government of "failing to protect citizens" when he visited the injured persons.

AL-SHABAAB THREAT IN SOMALIA

Determined to cause havoc and kick out United Nations and AU backed regime, the militants have often waged terror attacks across the country.

Recently, they took responsibility for an attack at SYL Hotel situated near the presidential palace in Mogadishu. More often than not, the group uses IEDs and RPGs to wage attacks.

Although they have managed to cause serious standoff, the group has often suffered casualties in attacks waged by SNA and AMISOM troops across Somalia.

United Nations Panel of Experts recently said the group had abandoned illegal charcoal trade for mafia-style taxation to sustain its activities.

GAROWE ONLINE