Tragedy struck the heart of Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu, on Sunday evening as a powerful explosion rocked a popular cafe where patrons had gathered to watch the Euro 2024 final. The blast, believed to be from a car bomb parked outside the Top Coffee cafe, resulted in the loss of at least five lives and left over 20 others injured.
Witnesses described the chaotic scene, with images of the aftermath showing a massive fire engulfing the vicinity. Located close to the presidential palace compound and frequented by government employees, the cafe was cordoned off by police as investigators combed the area for clues.
Though no group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack, the incident echoes the tactics employed by the Islamist militant group Al-Shabaab, which has been waging an insurgency against Somalia’s government for nearly two decades. The group, notorious for its opposition to events like football tournaments, carried out a similar bombing during the 2010 World Cup final in Kampala, Uganda, which resulted in 74 deaths.
The Mogadishu bombing occurred just a day after five inmates, described as Al-Shabaab fighters, were killed in a shootout with prison guards during an attempted jailbreak at the city’s main prison. The incident left three guards dead and 18 others wounded.