Coffee Shop Bombing Mogadishu: Wow
Intro
Ordinarily, I wouldn't cover something like this on this blog due to just what I seem to write about. However, I was recently in Mogadishu a couple of weeks ago and a post was soon to be written up about how Mogadishu is getting better and better to visit. Now, I'm not so sure if I can write this after this Al Shabab attack. Or maybe I can...
Before we jump in, I would like to say my thoughts and prayers rest with the families and those affected by the death of the victims. I love Somalia; in fact, the people I met there are some of the nicest souls I've met on the planet. I digress; let's get into it!
The Details
On the day of the final of the Euros, Al Shabab carried out an attack using a car bomb at a cafe in Mogadishu as citizens watched the game. The death count, originally stated at five, eventually totaled 9 fatalities and 20 injured (Al Jazeera).
According to various sources, there were lots of people inside the cafe watching the game, including many young children. Thankfully, so so so thankfully, most were able to escape using ladders over the backside wall.
The State Of Somalia Recently
When I get to that portion of the trip in the reviews, I will be having multiple posts on what a visit to Mogadishu is like. The one thing I've noticed about my time in Somalia is that countries treat Somalia poorly. Somalia has a lot of livestock. A story was told to me by a local in Mogadishu about how they tried to send a lot of goats to the Middle East by boat to trade. When the boat arrived after the long journey, a few of the goats had died (probably quite normal). The country decided not to take the goats and Somalia lost out on all of its money to be made.
The point I am trying to get across is that Somalia has made leaps and bounds to try to stabilize the country. They have even started up a few tourist businesses and are looking to offer snorkeling and fishing soon to tourists.
What once was a gorgeous place is finally recovering, and it's a shame to see Al Shabab take more lives when they were doing so great. If you like history, I cannot recommend a visit to Mogadishu enough.
Before I leave you, Somalia is one of the most beautiful countries in Africa, with some of the nicest people. I hope people don't get discouraged if they are looking to visit since, realistically, you are more likely to die driving than in a terrorist attack these days in Mogadishu.
Mahadsanid Somalia🇸🇴
Final Thoughts
On the day of the Euro Final 2024, Al Shabab took the lives of 9 people in Mogadishu. My thoughts and prayers go out to the loved ones of the deceased and injured in the coffee shop bombing in Mogadishu. I'm sad to see that Al Shabab still plays a vital role in the safety of those around Somalia. I had a wonderful time there, and I can't wait to share what it was like. Soon!
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