14 October 2017 Mogadishu bombings

Terrorist attacks in Somalia August 2020 14 October 2017 Mogadishu bombings 2017 10 15 VBIED-8 (37666124646).jpg 250 2.032958 45.304539 4 center 240 200 Safari Hotel, Mogadishu, Somalia 10 image Red pog.svg 2.032958 45.304539 12 Safari Hotel top 14 black Safari Hotel 14 October 2017 Mogadishu bombings Mogadishu, Somalia 2 1 57 N 45 18 16 E region:SO_type:event title,inline Somali Civil War 14 October 2017 UTC+03:00 Truck bombing 587https://hiiraan.com/news4/2018/Mar/157047/committee_587_dead_in_oct_14_terror_attack.aspx Committee: 1000 dead in Oct 14 terror attack Hiiraan Online 5 March 2018 2018-03-12 https://web.archive.org/web/20180313031627/https://hiiraan.com/news4/2018/Mar/157047/committee_587_dead_in_oct_14_terror_attack.aspx 13 March 2018 live 316 500 missing Unknown, Al-Shabaab suspectedhttps://apnews.com/article/6f7839c0cff441bee9beef6ac2264519 Somalia bombing kills dozens; airstrikes target militants 2019-12-29 2022-01-10 Abdi Guled apnews.com 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.January 2020 Though no organisation claimed responsibility, officials stated that a key member of the cell that carried it out had informed them that Islamist group al-Shabaab was responsible. The attack is the deadliest in Somalia's history, surpassing the 2011 Mogadishu bombing that killed 100 people. It is the second deadliest terrorist attack in African history, behind the 2008 Christmas massacres, and the continent's deadliest bombing.Death toll from Mogadishu truck bombing rises to 512 http://bnonews.com/news/index.php/news/id6798 BNO News 2 December 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20171201134601/http://bnonews.com/news/index.php/news/id6798 1 December 2017 dead In response to the bombings, Somali president Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed declared three days of mourning.https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-10-15/somalia-declares-three-days-of-mourning-after-mogadishu-bombing Somalia Declares Three Days of Mourning for Mogadishu Attack Bloomberg 15 October 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20171015140024/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-10-15/somalia-declares-three-days-of-mourning-after-mogadishu-bombing 15 October 2017 live 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.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-13937486 Somalia fleeing to Kenya in large numbers 28 June 2011 16 October 2016 BBC News https://web.archive.org/web/20160416180135/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-13937486 16 April 2016 live Al-Shabaab, a jihadist fundamentalist group designated as a terrorist organization by several countries, 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.Associated Press Famine Toll in 2011 Was Larger Than Previously Reported https://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/30/world/africa/somalia-famine-toll-in-2011-was-larger-than-previously-reported.html?ref=todayspaper&_r=0 16 October 2013 The New York Times 29 April 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20161107081145/http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/30/world/africa/somalia-famine-toll-in-2011-was-larger-than-previously-reported.html?ref=todayspaper&_r=0 7 November 2016 livehttps://www.ctc.usma.edu/posts/factors-responsible-for-al-shababs-losses-in-somalia Factors Responsible for Al-Shabab's Losses in Somalia 26 September 2012 Alexander Meleagrou-Hitchens ctc.usma.edu 16 October 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20161019001044/https://www.ctc.usma.edu/posts/factors-responsible-for-al-shababs-losses-in-somalia 19 October 2016 live In July 2010, al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for a bombing in Kampala, Uganda in retaliation for Uganda's support for, and presence in, AMISOM.https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748704288204575362400675683926 Deadly Blasts Rock Uganda's Capital Bariyo Nicholas The Wall Street Journal 12 July 2010 16 October 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20100715060402/http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704288204575362400675683926.html 15 July 2010 live In 2017, Somalia was continuing to suffer its worst drought in 40 years, with climatic catastrophe compounded by war and poor governance. Al-Shabaab banned humanitarian assistance in areas that it controlled, forcing hundreds of thousands of people to choose between starvation or brutal punishment.Burke Jason Mogadishu atrocity may provoke deeper US involvement in Somalia https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/oct/15/mogadishu-atrocity-may-provoke-deeper-us-involvement-in-somalia 16 October 2017 The Guardian https://web.archive.org/web/20171015210619/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/oct/15/mogadishu-atrocity-may-provoke-deeper-us-involvement-in-somalia 15 October 2017 live The United States maintained a military involvement in Somalia until 1994, when it withdrew. Earlier in 2017, the U.S. had designated Somalia a "zone of active hostilities," allowing for looser rules and oversight concerning the authorization of drone strikes and ground operations, and the deployment of regular American forces to Somalia was again authorized. This saw the number of American ground forces in Somalia increase from about 50 in 2016 to 400 in 2017. The bombings occurred amidst deep public discontent and political divisions between federal and regional leaders. Attacks On 14 October 2017, a large truck filled with explosives was detonated at a busy crossroads near the Safari Hotel in the Hodan District, at least a kilometre from the Medina Gate.https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/14/world/africa/somalia-mogadishu-bomb.html Truck Bomb Kills at Least 20 in Somalia's Capital The New York Times Associated Press 14 October 2017 16 October 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20171016222615/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/14/world/africa/somalia-mogadishu-bomb.html 16 October 2017 live The effect of the bombing was compounded by a fuel tanker parked nearby that caused a massive fireball.https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/oct/16/mogadishu-bombing-al-shabaab-behind-deadly-blast-officials-say Mogadishu bombing: al-Shabaab behind deadly blast, officials say Jason Burke 16 October 2017 16 October 2017 The Guardian https://web.archive.org/web/20171016133333/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/oct/16/mogadishu-bombing-al-shabaab-behind-deadly-blast-officials-say 16 October 2017 live Sources close to the government said that the truck contained 350 kg of homemade and military-grade explosives. The truck had been briefly detained at a checkpoint, but was allowed to proceed after local authorities vouched for it. It was then stopped by security officials while stuck in a traffic jam. When it was about to be searched, the driver accelerated and crashed through a barrier, and the truck exploded. The Safari Hotel collapsed, trapping many under its rubble, and the Qatari embassy was severely damaged. According to a Somali intelligence official investigating the attack, the truck was overloaded and covered with a tarpaulin. Dust on the truck aroused the suspicion of soldiers at a checkpoint just outside Mogadishu. The soldiers ordered the driver to park and exit the vehicle, and the assailant called a well-known man who vouched for the truck. After passing the checkpoint, the truck sped through another checkpoint where soldiers fired upon it and flattened one of its tires. The driver parked on a busy street and detonated the explosives. A senior police investigator stated that the truck was packed with two tonnes of explosives.http://aa.com.tr/en/africa/military-homemade-explosives-in-somalia-truck-bomb/941230 Military, homemade explosives in Somalia truck bomb Anadolu Agency 28 October 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20171028093621/http://aa.com.tr/en/africa/military-homemade-explosives-in-somalia-truck-bomb/941230 28 October 2017 live A Toyota Noah minivan loaded with explosives was also intercepted and stopped, but it later detonated without casualties.https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/oct/17/somalia-bomber-was-ex-solider-whose-town-was-raided-by-us-forces Somalia bomber 'was ex-soldier whose town was raided by US forces' The Guardian 17 October 2017 Jason Burke 17 October 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20171017192436/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/oct/17/somalia-bomber-was-ex-solider-whose-town-was-raided-by-us-forces 17 October 2017 live Officials said that the target of the attacks was the heavily guarded Mogadishu airport compound, where the United Nations, most embassies and the headquarters of the 22,000-strong AMISOM are based. The minivan was to blast open the Medina Gate entrance to the compound to allow the truck with more explosives to enter and detonate. The possible complicity of personnel manning vehicle checkpoints was under investigation after claims that the first truck was stopped at two checkpoints en route to Mogadishu without any cargo inspection. A second bombing occurred about 30 minutes later, less than 300 metres away, killing two people in the Medina district. Victims As of 4 March 2018, at least 587 people had been confirmed killed.https://hiiraan.com/news4/2018/Mar/157047/committee_587_dead_in_oct_14_terror_attack.aspx Committee: 587 dead in Oct 14 terror attack Hiiraan Online 5 March 2018 2018-03-12 https://web.archive.org/web/20180313031627/https://hiiraan.com/news4/2018/Mar/157047/committee_587_dead_in_oct_14_terror_attack.aspx 13 March 2018 live The explosion took place on one of the busiest streets in Mogadishu. Victims included senior civil servants, five paramedic volunteers, a journalist, an American-Somali man, a medical student and 15 children.https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/oct/16/mogadishu-bombing-fathers-grief-for-medical-student-killed-in-blast Mogadishu bombing: parents' grief for medical student killed in blast The Guardian 16 October 2017 Jason Burke 16 October 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20171016171957/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/oct/16/mogadishu-bombing-fathers-grief-for-medical-student-killed-in-blast 16 October 2017 live The full death total may never be known with certainty, as the remains of many people would not be found because of the effects of the intense heat (which could be felt 100 metres away from the scene)A bomb blast in Somalia's capital exposes the government's failures https://www.economist.com/news/middle-east-and-africa/21730345-truck-bomb-passed-two-checkpoints-without-being-searched-bomb-blast The Economist 17 October 2017 18 October 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20171017231839/https://www.economist.com/news/middle-east-and-africa/21730345-truck-bomb-passed-two-checkpoints-without-being-searched-bomb-blast 17 October 2017 live and others were buried quickly by relatives following Islamic custom. Approximately 160 bodies that could not be recognised were buried by the government the day after the bombing. Over a hundred injured were taken to the Madina hospital, one of six overcrowded nearby hospitals. Perpetrators While no group has admitted responsibility,https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-41621660 Somalia: At least 30 dead in Mogadishu blasts BBC News 14 October 2017 14 October 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20171014144304/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-41621660 14 October 2017 livehttps://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/oct/14/somalia-several-killed-in-mogadishu-truck-bomb Somalia: deadly truck bombing in Mogadishu Gayle Damien 14 October 2017 The Guardian 14 October 2017 en-GB 0261-3077 https://web.archive.org/web/20171014163622/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/oct/14/somalia-several-killed-in-mogadishu-truck-bomb 14 October 2017 livehttps://www.ctvnews.ca/world/article/at-least-20-killed-in-mogadishu-truck-bomb/ Blast rocks Somalia's capital; police say 20 dead Guled Abdi 14 October 2017 CTVNews 14 October 2017 en-CA https://web.archive.org/web/20171014163856/http://www.ctvnews.ca/world/blast-rocks-somalia-s-capital-police-say-20-dead-1.3632337 14 October 2017 livehttps://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/somalia-mogadishu-bomb-lorry-truck-attack-safari-hotel-dead-al-shabaab-a8001271.html The Independent Somalia bomb attacks: Death toll rises to 85 in twin blasts in Mogadishu 15 October 2017 28 December 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20171220113107/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/somalia-mogadishu-bomb-lorry-truck-attack-safari-hotel-dead-al-shabaab-a8001271.html 20 December 2017 live officials believe that the attack was perpetrated by a cell of the group al-Shabaab, following statements made by a key member, a veteran militant who had taken part in previous attacks in Mogadishu. Investigators believed that the attack may have been motivated by a desire for revenge for the botched U.S.-led raid on his hometown in August. He was arrested while driving a second explosives-packed vehicle into the city on the day of the explosion. An official said that the man had confessed and was proud of what he had done for the cause of jihad. Another official said that the bombs were hidden under rice, sugar and other goods in the truck. The driver was detained but a local businessman and tribal leader vouched for the truck. The official stated that investigators were determining whether the attackers were helped from within the security forces. A Somali intelligence official stated that the man who had vouched for the truck was arrested.https://www.thestar.com/news/world/2017/10/18/two-arrested-in-connection-with-somalia-bombing-as-thousands-march-in-defiance.html Two arrested in connection with Somalia bombing as thousands march in defiance over attack Associated Press 28 October 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20171028093540/https://www.thestar.com/news/world/2017/10/18/two-arrested-in-connection-with-somalia-bombing-as-thousands-march-in-defiance.html 28 October 2017 live In February 2018, a military court in Mogadishu sentenced two people to death for their role in the bombings.January 2020 According to the court, Hassan Aden Isak was driving a truck intended to be used in a second bombing.January 2020 Ibrahim Hassan Absuge was sentenced in absentia for the bombings as well, and is also accused of masterminding the November 2016 Mogadishu car bombing that killed 20 people.http://www.africanews.com/2018/02/06/somalia-court-issues-death-sentence-over-oct-2017-mogadishu-attack/ Somalia court issues death sentence over Oct. 2017 Mogadishu attack Shaban Abdur Rahman 6 February 2018 Africanews 19 February 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180219090745/http://www.africanews.com/2018/02/06/somalia-court-issues-death-sentence-over-oct-2017-mogadishu-attack/ 19 February 2018 live And on 14 October 2018, the first anniversary of the bombings, Hassan Aden Isak was executed publicly by firing squad. Reactions Domestic Somali president Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed declared three days of national mourning. He and hundreds of other Somali citizens donated blood.Sanbalooshe, Abdillahi Mohammed. "Somalia Doesn’t Need Tears. Help Us Fight Terrorism." https://web.archive.org/web/20171026131224/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/26/opinion/somalia-united-states-terrorism.html 26 October 2017 New York Times. 26 October 2017. 26 October 2017. "Today's horrific attack proves our enemy would stop (at) nothing to cause our people pain and suffering. Let's unite against terror", he said on Twitter,Somalia Villa Pres Farmajo "Today's horrific attack proves our enemy would stop nothing to cause our people pain and suffering. Lets unite against terror.pic.twitter.com/YcMtV5TcOC https://twitter.com/TheVillaSomalia/status/919329606527832064 @TheVillaSomalia en 14 October 2017 16 October 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20171117190301/https://twitter.com/TheVillaSomalia/status/919329606527832064 17 November 2017 live "Time to unite and pray together. Terror won't win."Mohamed Hussein Schmitt Eric Ibrahim Mohamed Mogadishu Truck Bombings Are Deadliest Attack in Decades https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/15/world/africa/somalia-bombing-mogadishu.html The New York Times 15 October 2017 16 October 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20171016032413/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/15/world/africa/somalia-bombing-mogadishu.html 16 October 2017 live International The United States Department of State expressed condolences to victims and wished a quick recovery for the injured. It called the attack "senseless and cowardly" and said it would stand with Somalia against extremism.The Latest: US calls Somalia attack 'senseless and cowardly' https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/latest-red-cross-volunteers-dead-somali-blast-50491917 ABC News en 15 October 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20171016071615/https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/latest-red-cross-volunteers-dead-somali-blast-50491917 16 October 2017 dead See also Mogadishu bombing (disambiguation), a list 2017 timeline of the Somali Civil War References External links Category:2017 murders in Somalia 14 October 2017 bombings Category:2010s trials Category:21st-century mass murders in Somalia 14 October 2017 bombings Category:2017 building bombings 14 October 2017 bombings 14 October 2017 bombings Category:Hotel bombings in Somalia Category:Islamic terrorist incidents in 2017 Category:2017 mass murders 14 October 2017 bombings Category:Murder trials Category:October 2017 crimes in Africa Category:Attacks on diplomatic missions in Somalia Category:Suicide bombings in 2017 14 October 2017 Category:Suicide car and truck bombings in Somalia Category:Terrorist incidents in Somalia in 2017 Category:Somali Civil War (2009–present) Category:Trials in Africa Category:Tank truck bombings Category:Road incidents in Somalia Category:2017 road incidents in Africa Category:2017 in international relations Category:Arson in Africa Category:Arson in 2017 Category:2010s fires in Africa