Muna Hotel attack
Encyclopedia
The Muna Hotel
in the Somali
capital of Mogadishu
was attacked by al-Shabaab fighters on 24 August 2010. The hotel was known to host government officials and other politicians. More fighting in the city
began on 23 August.
in Mogadishu after al-Shabaab fighters declared a "massive, final" war against what they called "invaders" and attacked army barracks in several districts of Mogadishu.
In July, the terrorist group al-Shabab claimed responsibility for two suicide bombings in Kampala
, the capital of Uganda
. Those attacks
took the lives of 76 people.
Two assailants disguised themselves by dressing in Somali government uniforms. The attackers began by shooting civilian passersby outside the building. They moved inside and shot at hotel staff, government personnel (many of whom were armed), and security guards. The assailants then blew themselves up within the building, as additional security forces arrived.
The number of dead parliamentarians was later revised downward to four: their names were given as Mohamed Hassan M. Nur
, Geddi Abdi Gadid
, Bulle Hassan Mo'allim
and Idiris Muse Elmi
. In addition, five legislators wounded in the attack were identified by Acting Speaker of Parliament Abdiweli Sheik Ibrahim Mudey as Ali Abdikadir Mo'allim
, Ali Mohamud Abdi
, Ahmed Sheik M. Mohamud
, Mohamed Ateye Farid
and Isaq Ibrahim Ali
. By August 25, the number of dead parliamentarians had risen to six.
forces. He also said that al-Shabaab intends to "eradicate the invaders and apostate government troops. I call on all al-Shabaab troops, beginning at this hour, to invade and destroy all entrenchments of the apostate and Christian troops."
Ethiopia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said a statement that "Al-Shabab and its foreign-based allies who are opposed to [the] peace process have deliberately continued to disrupt effort to build a stable Somalia." It also said that "it is time that collective efforts are exerted to bring an end to Al-Shabab’s acts of terrorism; there by bring peace and security to the country and to build a functional Somali state." It gave condolences to the families and friends of the victims as well.
Journalist Nick Wadhams wrote for Time on August 25 that the "brazen" attack proved that al-Shabaab poses an existential threat to the central government. He quoted Ali Osman, a senior official in the Ministry for Industry, as saying "The government does not have enough power to defeat al-Shabab and to secure the safety of Mogadishu... This is shameful". He also quoted Somali MP
Mohammed Abdi, as saying "let's not hide the truth... If the AU
and the international community don't come in the next few weeks to help us I don't think we'll have a government of Somalia."
Muna Hotel
Muna Hotel is a hotel in Mogadishu, Somalia. The hotel, located less than a mile from Somalia's presidential palace, is a noted conference centre and is regularly used for meetings between government officials and important persons...
in the Somali
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...
capital of Mogadishu
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....
was attacked by al-Shabaab fighters on 24 August 2010. The hotel was known to host government officials and other politicians. More fighting in the city
Battle of Mogadishu (2010)
The Battle of Mogadishu began on August 23, 2010 when al-Shabaab insurgents began attacking government and African Union Mission to Somalia positions in the Somali capital. Al-Shabaab began its offensive after its spokesman said the group was declaring a "massive war" on the AMISOM force,...
began on 23 August.
Background
On 23 August 2010, fighting beganBattle of Mogadishu (2010)
The Battle of Mogadishu began on August 23, 2010 when al-Shabaab insurgents began attacking government and African Union Mission to Somalia positions in the Somali capital. Al-Shabaab began its offensive after its spokesman said the group was declaring a "massive war" on the AMISOM force,...
in Mogadishu after al-Shabaab fighters declared a "massive, final" war against what they called "invaders" and attacked army barracks in several districts of Mogadishu.
In July, the terrorist group al-Shabab claimed responsibility for two suicide bombings in Kampala
Kampala
Kampala is the largest city and capital of Uganda. The city is divided into five boroughs that oversee local planning: Kampala Central Division, Kawempe Division, Makindye Division, Nakawa Division and Lubaga Division. The city is coterminous with Kampala District.-History: of Buganda, had chosen...
, the capital of Uganda
Uganda
Uganda , officially the Republic of Uganda, is a landlocked country in East Africa. Uganda is also known as the "Pearl of Africa". It is bordered on the east by Kenya, on the north by South Sudan, on the west by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, on the southwest by Rwanda, and on the south by...
. Those attacks
July 2010 Kampala attacks
The July 2010 Kampala attacks were suicide bombings carried out against crowds watching a screening of 2010 FIFA World Cup Final match during the World Cup at two locations in Kampala, Uganda, on , 2010. The attacks left 74 dead and 70 injured...
took the lives of 76 people.
Details
On 24 August 2010, al-Shabaab fighters attacked the Muna hotel that was known to house government officials and other politicians. The death toll in the attack rose to 32 people. At least 11 Somali MPs were reported killed. The hotel was targeted because it was popular with government officials as it is in a government-controlled area close to the presidential palace and the security is tight.Two assailants disguised themselves by dressing in Somali government uniforms. The attackers began by shooting civilian passersby outside the building. They moved inside and shot at hotel staff, government personnel (many of whom were armed), and security guards. The assailants then blew themselves up within the building, as additional security forces arrived.
The number of dead parliamentarians was later revised downward to four: their names were given as Mohamed Hassan M. Nur
Mohamed Hassan M. Nur
Mohamed Hassan M. Nur was a Somali politician, a member of the Transitional Federal Parliament. He was among the people killed in the attack on the Hotel Muna in Mogadishu by al-Shabaab, as were fellow parliamentarians Geddi Abdi Gadid, Bulle Hassan Mo'allim and Idiris Muse Elmi.-Reference:...
, Geddi Abdi Gadid
Geddi Abdi Gadid
Geddi Abdi Gadid was a Somali politician, a member of the Transitional Federal Parliament. He was among the people killed in the attack on the Hotel Muna in Mogadishu by al-Shabaab, as were fellow parliamentarians Mohamed Hassan M. Nur, Bulle Hassan Mo'allim and Idiris Muse Elmi.-Reference:...
, Bulle Hassan Mo'allim
Bulle Hassan Mo'allim
Bulle Hassan Mo'allim was a Somali politician, a member of the Transitional Federal Parliament. He was among the people killed in the attack on the Hotel Muna in Mogadishu by al-Shabaab as were fellow parliamentarians Mohamed Hassan M. Nur, Geddi Abdi Gadid, and Idiris Muse Elmi.-Reference:...
and Idiris Muse Elmi
Idiris Muse Elmi
Idiris Muse Elmi was a Somali politician, a member of the Transitional Federal Parliament. He was among the people killed in the attack on the Hotel Muna in Mogadishu by al-Shabaab as were fellow parliamentarians Mohamed Hassan M. Nur, Geddi Abdi Gadid, and Bulle Hassan Mo'allim.-Reference:...
. In addition, five legislators wounded in the attack were identified by Acting Speaker of Parliament Abdiweli Sheik Ibrahim Mudey as Ali Abdikadir Mo'allim
Ali Abdikadir Mo'allim
Ali Abdikadir Mo’allim is a Somali politician, a member of the Transitional Federal Parliament. He was wounded in the attack on the Hotel Muna in Mogadishu by al-Shabaab. The attack killed four parliamentarians, Mohamed Hassan M. Nur, Geddi Abdi Gadid, Bulle Hassan Mo'allim and Idiris Muse Elmi,...
, Ali Mohamud Abdi
Ali Mohamud Abdi
Ali Mohamud Abdi is a Somali politician, a member of the Transitional Federal Parliament. He was wounded in the attack on the Hotel Muna in Mogadishu by al-Shabaab. The attack killed four parliamentarians, Mohamed Hassan M. Nur, Geddi Abdi Gadid, Bulle Hassan Mo'allim and Idiris Muse Elmi, and...
, Ahmed Sheik M. Mohamud
Ahmed Sheik M. Mohamud
Ahmed Sheik M. Mohamud is a Somali politician, a member of the Transitional Federal Parliament. He was wounded in the attack on the Hotel Muna in Mogadishu by al-Shabaab. The attack killed four parliamentarians, Mohamed Hassan M. Nur, Geddi Abdi Gadid, Bulle Hassan Mo'allim and Idiris Muse Elmi,...
, Mohamed Ateye Farid
Mohamed Ateye Farid
Mohamed Ateye Farid is a Somali politician, a member of the Transitional Federal Parliament. He was wounded in the attack on the Hotel Muna in Mogadishu by al-Shabaab. The attack killed four parliamentarians, Mohamed Hassan M. Nur, Geddi Abdi Gadid, Bulle Hassan Mo'allim and Idiris Muse Elmi, and...
and Isaq Ibrahim Ali
Isaq Ibrahim Ali
Isaq Ibrahim Ali is a Somali politician, a member of the Transitional Federal Parliament. He was wounded in the attack on the Hotel Muna in Mogadishu by al-Shabaab. The attack killed four parliamentarians, Mohamed Hassan M. Nur, Geddi Abdi Gadid, Bulle Hassan Mo'allim and Idiris Muse Elmi, and...
. By August 25, the number of dead parliamentarians had risen to six.
Responsibility and aftermath of the attack
Sheikh Ali Mohamoud Rage, an al-Shabaab spokesman, said his fighters were starting a new war against "invaders," a reference to the 6,000 African Union Mission to Somalia (AMISOM) troops deployed to support Transitional Federal GovernmentTransitional 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...
forces. He also said that al-Shabaab intends to "eradicate the invaders and apostate government troops. I call on all al-Shabaab troops, beginning at this hour, to invade and destroy all entrenchments of the apostate and Christian troops."
Ethiopia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said a statement that "Al-Shabab and its foreign-based allies who are opposed to [the] peace process have deliberately continued to disrupt effort to build a stable Somalia." It also said that "it is time that collective efforts are exerted to bring an end to Al-Shabab’s acts of terrorism; there by bring peace and security to the country and to build a functional Somali state." It gave condolences to the families and friends of the victims as well.
Journalist Nick Wadhams wrote for Time on August 25 that the "brazen" attack proved that al-Shabaab poses an existential threat to the central government. He quoted Ali Osman, a senior official in the Ministry for Industry, as saying "The government does not have enough power to defeat al-Shabab and to secure the safety of Mogadishu... This is shameful". He also quoted Somali MP
Member of Parliament
A Member of Parliament is a representative of the voters to a :parliament. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, the term applies specifically to members of the lower house, as upper houses often have a different title, such as senate, and thus also have different titles for its members,...
Mohammed Abdi, as saying "let's not hide the truth... If the AU
African 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...
and the international community don't come in the next few weeks to help us I don't think we'll have a government of Somalia."