Somalia Shattered By deadliest Terrorist Attack

Somalia, one the most unstable countries in the world, is mourning the death of at least 300 people, after a truck bombing in the capital, Mogadishu on Saturday.

Below are nine things to know about the terrorist attack that hit the Horn of Africa nation.

Sources; The Guardian,  Azvision.az, Military.com, new24,  Newsweek,  Business Insider,

               Daily Sabah, Associated Press

Worst ever attack

Saturday’s bomb is so far the single deadliest terrorist attack in Somalia’s history. It killed at least 300 civilians, leaving hundreds of other critically injured.

Protector turned attacker

One of the attackers, who drove the truck that set off the main blast served in the country’s military before leaving in 2010 to join the Al-Shabab militant group.

Revenge mission

The former soldier may have been on a revenge mission, after a US-led military operation in Bariire, his home town in August, 2017.

The operation led to the deaths of several civilians, including children.

Missed target

Intelligence reports said the attackers had targeted a busy airport in the capital, which hosts international organizations, including the United Nations and African Union peace-keeping contingents.

The attackers however, detonated the bombs on a busy road after security guards stopped them at a check-point before they could enter the compound.

Turkey intervenes

Turkey is leading the efforts to assist Somalia following the devastating attack. On Sunday, a day after the attack, Ahmet Demircan, Turkey’s Health Minister flew into the country to oversee the efforts.

Turkish military planes evacuated the critically injured to Ankara for further treatment. 

Eiffel Tower shows solidarity

Eiffel Tower, the iconic building in the French capital, Paris has led several leading cities in the world in showing solidarity with Somalia.

On Monday night, it turned off its lights to pay tribute to the victims. Toronto, a leading city in Canada was also lit in the colors of the Somali flag.

President leads the way

President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed led top government officials in donating blood to the victims.

Source of explosives

It is suspected that the military-grade explosives used in the attack were stolen from the African Mission in Somali (Amisom)-led peace-keeping mission in the country.

Gruesome scenes

According to hospital reports, at least 130 bodies were burnt beyond recognition.

Some hospital staff also said they saw ‘unspeakable horrors’ and the smell of blood was strong inside the hospitals.