Horror has struck again in Somalia, more precisely in Beledweyne, in the Hiiraan region. A suicide attack carried out using a truck loaded with explosives caused the death of at least 13 people, mainly civilians, and left more than 40 injured. The images circulating on social networks are shocking, showing a street littered with debris and rubble, testifying to the violence of the explosion.
The surrounding buildings could not withstand the force of the blast, collapsing one after the other. Businesses and homes were reduced to ruins, leaving emergency services scrambling to find possible victims buried under the rubble. The situation is disastrous, the entire neighborhood has been devastated.
Although the attack was not officially claimed, it comes in a context where the Somali government has been leading a military offensive against the Shebab group, affiliated with al-Qaeda, for more than a year. Beledweyne is located in the Hiiraan region, in the center of the country, a region particularly affected by this offensive. Government forces, supported by local clan militias, have managed to regain control of some strategic towns and roads, but Shebab continues to pose a serious threat.
Despite the support of the African Union force and airstrikes by the American army, the Somali government recently alerted the UN to several significant setbacks suffered in their fight against the Shebab. He also requested the postponement of the withdrawal of African Union troops for three months, in order to maintain a strong military presence and consolidate efforts to stabilize the country.
Faced with this tragic situation, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud assured that the government would not give up and would continue its fight against the Shebab Islamists. He expressed his condolences to the victims of the attack and their families.
This new attack once again demonstrates the violence and instability that reign in Somalia. Despite the efforts of the authorities and the international community to bring peace and security, the Shebab continues to sow terror in the country. It is crucial to strengthen international cooperation, support government forces and continue to firmly fight terrorism in Somalia and the rest of the world. Violence must not be tolerated, and only collective and determined action will achieve the much sought-after stability.