MOGADISHU (Somaliguardian) – The death toll from a militant attack, that struck Liido beach in Somalia’s capital Mogadishu late on Friday, has risen to 32 with more than 63 others wounded, a police spokesman said on Saturday.
Police have not given further details as the deadly assault draws a social media backlash against authorities, with questions swirling around how armed militants carrying explosives and grenades passed through dozens of security checkpoints before reaching Liido beach, an area which is popular with upscale hotels frequented by government officials.
Former Somali presidents Sharif Sheikh Ahmed and Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo were among a number of politicians, who condemned the bombing and sent condolences to the families of the victims.
Al-Qaeda-aligned militant group Al-Shabaab has claimed responsibility for the attack, saying that a suicide bomber had hit a hotel compound at the beach, before a group of militant gunmen launched a commando raid that lasted for hours.
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