Photo by PH1 R. ORIEZ
There has been a Civil War raging in Somalia between the Somali military and a terrorist group, known as Al-Shabaab. In June, Al-Shabaab attacked two restaurants in a car bombing and sniper attack.
Per Fox News, “Al-Shabab, a Somalia-based extremist group that often targets popular areas in the country’s capital, claimed responsibility as the restaurant was under siege.”
The first thing that happened was a car ran into an adjacent restaurant and detonated with a suicide bomber in the driver’s seat.
Africa News reports, “Five al Shabaab militants were reported to have carried out a car bomb attack at the Posh Treats restaurant in Mogadishu and then entered the adjacent Pizza House restaurant on Wednesday evening when residents were breaking their Ramadan fast.”
Al-Shabaab has been fighting for the last decade in to overthrow the government of Somalia. They have also perpetrated attacks in Kenya and Uganda.
Asharq Al-Awsat states, “The Shabaab has been fighting for the last decade to overthrow successive internationally-backed governments in Mogadishu and has also launched attacks in Kenya and Uganda, both contributors to a 22,000-strong African Union force in the country.”
As Al-Shabaab attacked the restaurants, troops from the Somali military gathered at the scene to attack the protect the citizens.
Per Fox News, “Soldiers surrounded the restaurant building and used guns mounted on the backs of vehicles to neutralize the militants. Troops entered the ground floor while the insurgent snipers held positions upstairs.”
Al-Shabaab held hostages at the restaurants until the Somali soldiers came.
Africa News explains, “The gunmen held hostages in the restaurant which was later surrounded by Somali soldiers who exchanged gunfire with the attackers.”
Egypt condemned the terrorist attacks, saying they stand with the Somali government.
Asharq Al-Aswat states, “The Egyptian foreign ministry stressed in a statement today the Egyptian government and people’s stand with the government and people of brotherly Somalia in the face of abhorrent terrorism which aims at the security and stability of Somalia and the rebuilding of its institutions.”
Every year, Open Doors releases the World Watch List, which ranks the world’s worst persecutors for Christians. Somalia has been on there since 1993. Somalia is number two, right under North Korea.
Open Doors reports, “Christian converts from Islam in the country have been facing a great deal of persecution, and martyrdom is very common. The mere suspicion of one’s having renounced Islam leads to a rushed public execution.”
Pray for comfort for those who were affected by the Al-Shabaab terrorist attacks and for Christians in Somalia to be bold despite the risk.
Fox News: Somalia restaurant attack: Death toll rises to 31 as overnight siege ends
Africa News: Somalia restaurant siege over: 18 killed in Al Shabaab attack
Asharq Al-Awsat: Saudi Arabia, Egypt Condemn Mogadishu Terror Attack
