The world is grieving on the deadliest human carnage in years that took place in the Somalian capital Mogadishu killing more than 300 people and injuring nearly 400.
Somali government has blamed the truck bombing attack on Al Shabaab terrorist group, an ally of Al Qaeda, which has been waging a deadly war for more than a decade against the government in this east African nation.
Though Al Shabaab has not claimed the responsibility, there is little doubt that Africa’s deadliest extremist group has carried out the bombing given the fact that no other terrorist outfit in Somalia has the capability to do the damages in this nature.
The state of Qatar was also hit in this brutal bombing which damaged its diplomatic mission and slightly injured an official. Qatar, which always stood against terrorism, has strongly condemned the bombing and lent a helping hand to Somalia. Under the directives of the Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Ministry of Defence yesterday sent an Emiri Air Force plane to Somalian capital Mogadishu carrying medical equipment and first aid to help the injured. The aid teams consist of Qatar International Search and Rescue Group and a comprehensive medical team from the Qatar Armed Forces and Hamad Medical Corporation.
The world has reacted to the truck bomb carnage in Mogadishu with utmost sympathy and came to assist the impoverished nation at this most critical juncture. International condemnation has also poured in against this cowardly act. Besides Qatar, Turkey, the US, Kenya and many nations came to help the grieving Somalis by providing medical and other aids. Turkey has already airlifted dozens of critically injured for treatment and Kenya will follow suit.
It is worth to mention that Somalia’s carnage did not make an impact on social media. If 100 or more people are killed in terrorist attacks in US, UK or any other western country, the reactions would have been far more stronger with hashtags and media coverage, as we saw in the recent shooting incident in Las Vegas in the US.
Somalia has been mired in conflict since 1990s when warlords overthrew dictator Siad Barre in 1991 and turned against each other that led to civil war killing thousands. Once labelled the “Switzerland of Africa”, Somalia is currently one of the poorest countries in the region, facing severe food insecurity and relying on foreign donors to support basic services.
Al Shabaab has waged war in Somalia for more than a decade, often targeting high-profile areas of the capital. With Mogadishu and other towns now under government control, there was a new feeling of optimism and many Somalis have returned from exile.
Earlier this year, Al Shabaab vowed to step up attacks after both the Trump administration and recently elected Somali-American President, Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed, announced military operations against the extremists. It is high time that international community must stand united against the menace of all form of terrorism that kills innocent civilians.
