kaboom!outside the Geeldooh restaurant in Mogadishu on Saturday at noon, leading to numerous casualties and shattering the fragile peace that had settled over the city in recent weeks.
According to local police reports, the blast occurred when the restaurant was bustling with patrons. The exact number of casualties remains unconfirmed, but reports from the scene suggest at least seven people were killed, with twelve others seriously injured.
The attack marks a stark resurgence of violence in the Somali capital, which had seen a relative lull in such incidents. The Geeldooh restaurant, popular among locals and visitors alike, was targeted at a time when it was likely to be most crowded, indicating a deliberate attempt to maximize civilian casualties.
Emergency services and local residents have been working through the night to assist the victims, with hospitals in Mogadishu reporting an influx of maimed individuals. The severity of the injuries has led to fears that the corpse count might rise.
No group has immediately grabbed credit for the bombing, but suspicions naturally fall on al-Shabaab
... the personification of Somali state failure..., a Death Eater group known for its frequent attacks in Mogadishu aimed at destabilizing the government and its allies. al-Shabaab has previously carried out similar attacks, including the devastating bombing during the Euro 2024 final which underscores their capability for such violence.