Somalia: Mogadishu mayor calls for large rally Oct. 18 /update 1

Event

Thabit Abdi Mohamed, the mayor of Mogadishu and the governor of the Bandaiir region, is calling for residents to stage a large rally in the city on Wednesday, October 18. Thabit called for people to gather on Wednesday afternoon in a show of solidarity and prayer for the victims of the massive truck bombing that left over 300 dead on Saturday, October 14. Specific details about the location of the gathering has yet to be released. Expect significantly increased security measures throughout the city in the coming days.

Context

Hundreds of people protested in Mogadishu on Sunday, October 15, against Al-Shabaab and the attack. On Tuesday, October 17, residents in Kismayo (Lower Juba) also demonstrated against the bombing. People reportedly chanted anti-Al-Shabaab slogans during the rally.

At least 337 people were killed, more than 500 injured, and over 100 are still missing following a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (VBIED) attack in the Hodan district of Mogadishu on October 14, in close proximity to the Safari Hotel. The recovery operation is still ongoing, and the death count from one of the worst attacks that Mogadishu has seen is expected to rise. No group has claimed responsibility, though Al-Shabaab militants are expected to be behind the attack.

The intended target of the VBIED attack remains unclear; there is now speculation that the Medina Gate military entrance to Mogadishu International Airport (MGQ) may have been the intended target in a coordinated VBIED attack. This theory may be supported by the discovery and subsequent detonation of a second VBIED in close proximity to a National Intelligence Security Agency (NISA) checkpoint located approximately 800 m (0.5 mi) northwest of the Medina Gate entrance.

Advice

Individuals in Mogadishu are advised to avoid any large gatherings and protests and continue to avoid the blast areas affected by Saturday’s attack as recovery operations are ongoing.

Due to the high threat of terrorism, individuals present throughout the country are advised to avoid government and institutional buildings as well as political events due to Al-Shabaab's tendency to target political figures and security forces. Because of extremely poor security conditions, travel should only be considered with appropriate security precautions in place.