BY: CHIOMA MADONNA NDUKWU
A car bomb exploded outside the popular Top Coffee cafe in Mogadishu on Sunday night, killing nine and injuring 20 as patrons watched the Euro 2024 final between Spain and England.
The jihadist group al-Shabab claimed responsibility for the attack. Witnesses described a scene of chaos as the bomb went off, with some escaping by climbing ladders and jumping over walls. The explosion damaged several buildings and cars in the area near Villa Somalia, the presidential residence.
Survivor Mohamed Muse recounted the horrifying moments, stating, “We heard a loud, horrifying explosion during the first half of the game that we were watching. Everyone had to figure out how to save themselves.” Al-Shabab stated they targeted the location because it was frequented by security and government workers at night. Despite a recent lull in attacks due to ongoing military offensives, the group continues to control large parts of Somalia. This incident underscores the persistent threat of terrorism in the region, impacting both civilians and infrastructure.
