MOGADISHU, Somalia, 21 August 2024 – The Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) reports that two of its members were among those injured on the night of 2 August 2024 when Al-Shabaab terrorists attacked beachgoers at the Beach View restaurant in Mogadishu’s Liido Beach area with suicide bombing and gunfire.
The attack resulted in the deaths of at least 37 people and left dozens more injured.
Qaasim Ibrahim Adaan, a news presenter and producer at SMS TV, and Shire Abdi Ahmed, a cameraman and producer at Dawan TV, were at Liido Beach when the attack occurred and were injured—one of them critically—but are now out of danger.
Qaasim Ibrahim Adan, who sustained multiple injuries from shrapnel and a bullet, recounted the harrowing experience in an interview with SJS: “It was past 9:00 PM local time, and my friends and I were preparing to leave the beach. Suddenly, I heard a deafening explosion, followed by gunshots from every direction. We were thrown to the ground.”
He continued “I was injured by multiple shrapnels and a bullet. One shrapnel hit above my right eye, another penetrated my right-hand elbow, and a bullet grazed above my left ear. I also suffered a broken finger on my right leg.”
Qaasim is now recovering, though he mourns the loss of two university classmates who were with him that night.
“I am fortunate to have survived, but I am deeply grieving the loss of my friends. I send my deepest condolences to their families and hope they find strength during this difficult time,” he said.
Qaasim, who was off-duty that Friday, often visited Liido Beach as a place of relaxation and a meeting spot for friends and colleagues, including local journalists who frequent the area to unwind from the stresses of their work.
Shire Abdi Ahmed was also at the Beach View restaurant meeting friends when the blast occurred, throwing him to the ground and leaving him critically injured.
“The last thing I remember was standing on the beach with a friend. Suddenly, I found myself on the ground, unable to stand. People were running everywhere; it was chaotic, and gunfire was coming from every direction,” Shire recalled during an interview with SJS.
“I was bleeding and unable to walk. I thought I was going to die. A shrapnel hit my skull, and two others penetrated my right thigh to the left thigh, causing severe bleeding. Several more shrapnels struck both my ankles,” he explained.
Fortunately, a friend who was also injured helped Shire to a nearby shelter, before a young tuk-tuk driver rushed them both to the hospital.
This attack underscores the ongoing dangers faced by Somali journalists and the wider community in such terror incidents. Media workers continue to carry out their duties under great peril in Somalia. On 14 March, the director of SMS TV, Hassan Sheikh Ahmed Adde, was injured in the SYL Hotel attack. Journalists in Somalia often lack insurance coverage and are underpaid, leading to significant financial burdens for them and their families when they are wounded in such attacks.
Both Qaasim and Shire are now in recovery, though the trauma of the attack remains with them. SJS extends its support and wishes them a full and speedy recovery.
“We strongly denounce this ruthless terror attack on innocent civilians, including our fellow journalists, who were simply enjoying a night out. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of those killed, as we pray for those injured, including Qaasim and Shire a swift and full recovery,” said SJS Secretary General, Abdalle Mumin.
“It is imperative that the Somali security forces take all necessary measures to protect the civilian population, especially those who risk their lives daily to inform the public. The safety of journalists must be prioritized to ensure that they can continue their vital work in the midst of challenging and dangerous circumstances,” added Mr. Mumin.