May 2010 Mogadishu bombings
Encyclopedia
The May 2010 Mogadishu bombings were an attack at a mosque near the Bakara market in Mogadishu
, the capital of Somalia
, on 1 May 2010. The bombs killed at least 39 people and injured around 70 others.
, is controlled by several different factions. The area of the capital where the bombings occurred, including the mosque and the Bakara Market, which is under the control of al-Shabaab, a militant organisation that is engaged in a struggle against the United Nations
-backed Transitional Federal Government
.
midday prayers. It is believed that Fuad Mohamed Qalaf
, an upper-level official within al-Shabaab, was the intended target of the attacks. Qalaf was reported to have suffered only minor injuries to his hands.
The attack was the deadliest in Mogadishu since the Hotel Shambo bombing
in December 2009. Information Minister Dahir Mohamud Gelle said it was the first such attack in a mosque in Somalia.
, said "Indiscriminate attacks on public places like today's incident cannot be condoned. I, on behalf of the African Union, would like to call upon all warring parties in the Somali Conflict to stop such barbaric attacks on innocent civilian population."
While al-Shabaab has accused private Western security firms, no group has claimed any kind of responsibility for the bombings.
Mogadishu
Mogadishu , popularly known as Xamar, is the largest city in Somalia and the nation's capital. Located in the coastal Benadir region on the Indian Ocean, the city has served as an important port for centuries....
, the capital of Somalia
Somalia
Somalia , officially the Somali Republic and formerly known as the Somali Democratic Republic under Socialist rule, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. Since the outbreak of the Somali Civil War in 1991 there has been no central government control over most of the country's territory...
, on 1 May 2010. The bombs killed at least 39 people and injured around 70 others.
Background
Somalia, which has not had a functional central government since the 1991 deposing of President Siad BarreSiad Barre
Mohamed Siad Barre was the military dictator and President of the Somali Democratic Republic from 1969 to 1991. During his rule, he styled himself as Jaalle Siyaad ....
, is controlled by several different factions. The area of the capital where the bombings occurred, including the mosque and the Bakara Market, which is under the control of al-Shabaab, a militant organisation that is engaged in a struggle against the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
-backed Transitional Federal Government
Transitional Federal Government
The Transitional Federal Government is the current internationally recognized government of the Republic of Somalia. It was established as one of the Transitional Federal Institutions of government as defined in the Transitional Federal Charter adopted in November 2004 by the Transitional...
.
Bombings
The bombings occurred around local time ( UTC). The bombs were placed at opposite ends of the ground floor of the Abdala Shideye Mosque as people were awaiting the DhuhrDhuhr
The dhuhr prayer is the prayer after midday Performed daily by practicing Muslims, it is the second of the five daily prayers...
midday prayers. It is believed that Fuad Mohamed Qalaf
Fuad Mohamed Qalaf
Fuad Mohamed Qalaf , also known as Fuad Shangole, is a Somali-Swedish militant Islamist. He was a senior leader of the now defunct Islamic Courts Union , and is currently a senior leader of its successor al-Shabaab.-Biography:...
, an upper-level official within al-Shabaab, was the intended target of the attacks. Qalaf was reported to have suffered only minor injuries to his hands.
The attack was the deadliest in Mogadishu since the Hotel Shambo bombing
2009 Hotel Shamo bombing
The 2009 Hotel Shamo bombing was a suicide bombing at the Hotel Shamo in Mogadishu, Somalia, on 3 December 2009. The bombing killed 25 people, including three ministers of the Transitional Federal Government, and injured 60 more, making it the deadliest attack in Somalia since the Beledweyne...
in December 2009. Information Minister Dahir Mohamud Gelle said it was the first such attack in a mosque in Somalia.
Reaction
Ambassador Boubacar Gaoussou Diarra, representing the African UnionAfrican Union
The African Union is a union consisting of 54 African states. The only all-African state not in the AU is Morocco. Established on 9 July 2002, the AU was formed as a successor to the Organisation of African Unity...
, said "Indiscriminate attacks on public places like today's incident cannot be condoned. I, on behalf of the African Union, would like to call upon all warring parties in the Somali Conflict to stop such barbaric attacks on innocent civilian population."
While al-Shabaab has accused private Western security firms, no group has claimed any kind of responsibility for the bombings.
See also
- 2010 timeline of the War in Somalia2010 timeline of the War in SomaliaThe timeline of events in the War in Somalia .-January:* January 5*3 killed, 13 woundedShelling in a Mogadishu Market kills 3*January 10 - 14*25 dead , 75 wounded...
- 2011 Mogadishu bombing2011 Mogadishu bombingThe 2011 Mogadishu bombing occurred on 4 October 2011, when a suicide bomber drove a truck into the gate of the Transitional Federal Government's ministerial complex in Mogadishu, Somalia. The resulting explosion killed 100 people and injured over 110 others. Al-Shabaab, an Islamist group, claimed...
- List of terrorist incidents, 2010
- Somali Civil WarSomali Civil WarThe Somali Civil War is an ongoing civil war taking place in Somalia. The conflict, which began in 1991, has caused destabilisation throughout the country, with the current phase of the conflict seeing the Somali government losing substantial control of the state to rebel forces...
- War in Somalia (2009–)War in Somalia (2009–)The 2009–present phase of the Somali Civil War is concentrated in southern Somalia. It began in early February 2009, with the conflict between, on the one hand, the forces of the Somali Transitional Federal Government assisted by African Union peacekeeping troops, and on the other, various militant...