2011 Mogadishu bombing

Last updated

2011 Mogadishu bombing
Part of Somali Civil War (2009–present)
Location Mogadishu, Somalia
Date4 October 2011 (UTC+03:00)
Target TFG ministries
Attack type
Suicide bombing, car bombing, terrorism, mass murder, murder-suicide
Deaths100
Injured110+
Perpetrator Al-Shabaab

The 2011 Mogadishu bombing occurred on 4 October 2011, when a suicide bomber drove a truck into the gate of the Transitional Federal Government's ministerial complex in Mogadishu, Somalia. The resulting explosion killed 100 [1] people and injured over 110 others. [2] Al-Shabaab, an Islamist group, claimed responsibility for the attack. [3] The attack is reported to be the largest since Al-Shabaab launched an insurgency in Somalia in early 2007. [4] [5] It also follows the withdrawal of Al-Shabaab's forces from the area in August after an AMISOM intervention to bring aid to the country during a season of drought.

Contents

Background

During the summer of 2011, the East African region faced a drought and shortage of food supplies, particularly in the Somali region, forcing tens of thousands of people to cross the borders into Ethiopia and Kenya for refuge. [6] Al-Shabaab threatened to expel the aid groups working in the area before the African Union's AMISOM troops took action to force the Al-Shabaab fighters out of the region. [7] [8]

In July 2010, Al-Shabaab also claimed responsibility for a bombing in Kampala, Uganda, in retaliation for Uganda's support to, and presence in, AMISOM. [9]

Attack

The attack took place at a security checkpoint leading to the complex of ministries where the Ministry of Education's building is on the K4 (Kilometre Four) district of Mogadishu. [10] Some eyewitnesses said the noise from the explosion was loud enough to be heard several miles from the scene of the attack. According to several reports the attack was aimed at 150 young Somalis who were to be flown to Sudan to be trained as spies, but instead resulted in the death of mostly students and parents awaiting news about scholarships to Sudan and Turkey from the Ministry of Higher Education. Turkey, which also increased its involvement in Somalia with a pledge to re-open its embassy in Mogadishu, [11] [12] [13] released a statement clarifying the events that took place. The Turkish Foreign Ministry reported that the students were queuing outside the Ministry of Higher Education when the blast occurred, waiting for the results of scholarships offered by Turkey. [14] Other reports said that students were taking an exam at the time of the blast. Although many of the casualties were students and parents, some of the other victims were non-student civilians.[ citation needed ] Suldan Sarah, the communications director for President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, said that "security services are working around the clock, and are working within their capabilities, and as such have foiled a number of attempts over the past month [of other attacks]." AMISOM and TFG (Transitional Federal Government) forces cordoned off the area soon after the blast. [11]

On the same day, Al-Shabaab simultaneously launched attacks in the south and west of Somalia. [11]

Responsibility

Al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for the attack, saying: "One of our mujahideen made the sacrifice to kill TFG [Transitional Federal Government] officials, the African Union troops and other informers who were in the compound." A spokesman for the group, Ali Mohamud Rage, later said that: "Somalis, we warn you: keep away from government buildings and the bases of their soldiers, more serious blasts are coming." [11]

Reactions

Domestic
International

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">African Union Mission to Somalia</span> Intervention force in Somalia 2007-2022

The African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) was a Multinational force operated by the African Union with the approval of the United Nations Security Council. It was mandated to support transitional governmental structures, implement a national security plan, train the Somali security forces, and to assist in creating a secure environment for the delivery of humanitarian aid. As part of its duties, AMISOM supported the Federal Government of Somalia's forces in their battle against Al-Shabaab militants.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2009 timeline of the Somali Civil War</span>

The 2009 timeline of events in the Somalia War (2006–2009) during January 2009 is set out below. From the beginning of February the timeline of events in the Somali Civil War (2009–present) is set out following the conclusion of the previous phase of the civil war.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Somali civil war (2009–present)</span> Present phase of the Somali Civil War, concentrated in southern Somalia

The Somali civil war (2009–present) is the ongoing phase of the Somali civil war which is concentrated in southern and central Somalia. It began in late January 2009 with the present conflict mainly between the forces of the Federal Government of Somalia assisted by African Union peacekeeping troops and al-Shabaab militants who pledged alliegence to al-Qaeda during 2012.

Two large-scale attacks against AMISOM soldiers carried out by al-Shabaab suicide bombers in Mogadishu, Somalia occurred in 2009. In total 32 people, including 28 AMISOM soldiers, were killed and 55 people were injured.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Battle of Mogadishu (2009)</span> Battle of the Somali Civil War

The Battle of Mogadishu (2009) started in May with an Islamist offensive, when rebels from al-Shabaab and Hizbul Islam attacked and captured government bases in the capital of Mogadishu. The fighting soon spread, causing hundreds of casualties, and continued on at various levels of intensity until October. The battle's name usually includes the year, when referenced, in order to distinguish it amongst the nine major Battles of Mogadishu during the decades long Somali Civil War.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2009 Hotel Shamo bombing</span> 2009 terror attack in Mogadishu, Somalia

The 2009 Hotel Shamo bombing was a suicide bombing at the Hotel Shamo in Mogadishu, Somalia, on 3 December 2009. The bombing killed 25 people, including three ministers of the Transitional Federal Government, and injured 60 more, making it the deadliest attack in Somalia since the Beledweyne bombing on 18 June 2009 that claimed more than 30 lives.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Battle of Mogadishu (2010–2011)</span>

The Battle of Mogadishu (2010–11) began on 23 August 2010 when al-Shabaab insurgents began attacking government and African Union Mission to Somalia (AMISOM) positions in the Somali capital of Mogadishu. Al-Shabaab began its offensive after its spokesman said the group was declaring a "massive war" on troops sent by AMISOM, describing its 6,000 peacekeepers as "invaders". In December 2010 the number of AMISOM troops was increased to 8,000 and later to 9,000. The battle's name usually includes the years, when referenced, in order to distinguish it amongst the nine major Battles of Mogadishu during the decades long Somali Civil War.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2010 Kampala bombings</span> Suicide bombings in Kampala, Uganda

On 11 July 2010, suicide bombings were carried out against crowds watching a screening of the 2010 FIFA World Cup Final at two locations in Kampala, the capital city of Uganda. The attacks left 74 dead and 85 injured. Al-Shabaab, an Islamist militia based in Somalia that has ties to al-Qaeda, claimed responsibility for the blasts as retaliation for Ugandan support for AMISOM. In March 2015, the trial of 13 Kenyan, Ugandan and Tanzanian alleged perpetrators of the bombings began at the High Court of Uganda.

The Muna Hotel in the Somali capital of Mogadishu was attacked by al-Shabaab fighters on 24 August 2010. The hotel was known to host government officials and other politicians. More fighting in the city began on 23 August.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2011 timeline of the Somali Civil War</span>

This is a 2011 timeline of events in the Somali Civil War (2009–present).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2012 timeline of the Somali Civil War</span>

This is a 2012 timeline of events in the Somali Civil War (2009–present).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2015 timeline of the Somali Civil War</span>

This is a 2015 timeline of events in the Somali Civil War (2009–present).

This article contains a timeline of events for the Somali jihadist group al-Shabaab.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2010 timeline of the Somali Civil War</span>

This is a 2010 timeline of events in the Somali Civil War (2009–present).

An attack occurred on 21 January 2016 in Mogadishu, Somalia. Al-Shabaab drove a suicide car bomb at the gate of the Beach View Café, a seafood restaurant overlooking the city's Lido Beach. Another blast struck about an hour later as government soldiers laid siege to the restaurant. After the blasts, militants entered the building, some of them by boat, and attacked civilians within. About 20 people were killed and 17 others wounded. Several perpetrators were also killed and one was arrested.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2016 timeline of the Somali Civil War</span>

This is a 2016 timeline of events in the Somali Civil War (2009–present).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">14 October 2017 Mogadishu bombings</span> Terrorist attacks in Somalia

On 14 October 2017, two truck bombings took place in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia, killing at least 587 people and injuring 316 others. Almost all of the casualties were caused by one of the trucks, which detonated when the driver, while attempting to escape from security officials, crashed through a barrier and exploded in the Hodan District, destroying a hotel. The intended target of the attack is believed to have been a secure compound housing international agencies and troops. The second blast happened close by, killing two people. A third explosives-laden truck was captured by police.

On 28 December 2019, a suicide truck bomber killed at least 85 people at the Ex-Control Afgoye police checkpoint in Mogadishu, Somalia. More than 140 others were wounded and, as of 31 December, 12 people remained missing. Al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for the attack on 30 December. The attack was the deadliest in Somalia since the 14 October 2017 Mogadishu bombings, which killed 587 people.

On 18 January 2020, a suicide car bombing killed four and injured at least 20 others in Afgooye, approximately 30 kilometres (19 mi) from the Somali capital, Mogadishu. Most of the casualties were police officers protecting Turkish contractors building a road. The al-Qaeda-linked extremist group al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for the attack.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 Somali Ministry of Education bombings</span> Double car bombing attack in Somalia

On 29 October 2022, 121 people were killed and over 300 were injured by a double car bombing in Somalia's capital, Mogadishu. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud accused Sunni jihadist group al-Shabaab of carrying out the attacks, which they admitted. The bombing marks the deadliest attack in Somalia since the 14 October 2017 Mogadishu bombings at the same junction.

References

  1. "Murder in Mogadishu". Voanews.com. 13 October 2011. Retrieved 10 November 2011.
  2. "Somalie: l'attentat de mardi a fait au moins 82 morts". Libération (in French). Retrieved 10 November 2011.
  3. Clar Ni Chonghaile (4 October 2011). "Mogadishu truck bomb: al-Shabaab insurgents claim responsibility". The Guardian . Retrieved 4 October 2011.
  4. "Rebels kill scores in Somali capital blast". Reuters. 4 October 2011. Retrieved 4 October 2011.
  5. "Huge Somalia suicide car bomb kills dozens in capital". BBC News. 4 October 2011. Retrieved 4 October 2011.
  6. "Somalia fleeing to Kenya in large numbers". BBC News. 28 June 2011. Retrieved 16 October 2016.
  7. Associated Press (29 April 2013). "Famine Toll in 2011 Was Larger Than Previously Reported". The New York Times. Retrieved 16 October 2013.
  8. Meleagrou-Hitchens, Alexander (26 September 2012). "Factors Responsible for Al-Shabab's Losses in Somalia". ctc.usma.edu. Archived from the original on 19 October 2016. Retrieved 16 October 2016.
  9. Bariyo, Nicholas (12 July 2010). "Deadly Blasts Rock Uganda's Capital". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 16 October 2016.
  10. "Islamic militants launch their deadliest bombing in Somalia's capital, killing at least 70". The Washington Post . Associated Press. 4 October 2011. Archived from the original on 4 October 2011. Retrieved 4 October 2011.
  11. 1 2 3 4 5 "Al-Shabab blast kills scores in Mogadishu". Al Jazeera. 4 October 2011. Retrieved 4 October 2011.
  12. "Truck Bomb Kills Dozens in Somalia's Capital". NYTimes. 5 October 2011. Retrieved 5 October 2011.
  13. "Suicide bomb kills at least 70 as Islamic terrorists target Somalia". The Independent. UK. 5 October 2011. Archived from the original on 7 October 2011. Retrieved 5 October 2011.
  14. 1 2 "Ankara agrees to treat Mogadishu blast victims in Turkey". World Bulletin. 5 October 2011. Retrieved 5 October 2011.
  15. "US condemns car bombing in Somalia". AFP. 5 October 2011. Archived from the original on 5 October 2011. Retrieved 5 October 2011.

2°2′0″N45°21′0″E / 2.03333°N 45.35000°E / 2.03333; 45.35000