Somalia marks the second anniversary of the Mogadishu attack that killed over 500 people

Mogadishu (CBATV) – Somalia on Monday marked the first anniversary of one of the world’s deadliest attacks since 9/11, a truck bombing in the heart of Mogadishu that killed well over 500 people.

Memories of the bombing are still raw in a country that has faced decades of deadly warlord-led chaos and attacks by the al-Qaida-linked al-Shabab extremist group. The Oct. 14, 2017 bombing was so devastating that al-Shabab never claimed responsibility amid local outrage.

Somalia’s government declared Oct. 14 as a national day to remember victims of all “terrorist” bombings across the Horn of Africa nation.

The bombing shattered one of Mogadishu’s busiest business districts.

Most of those killed were civilians going about their daily lives when the truck that had been trying to force its way through heavy traffic exploded.

Security officials at the time said they had advance warning about an oncoming vehicle but had no idea about the large amount of explosives it carried.

The man behind one of the country’s deadliest attacks was killed by firing squad, exactly a year after the tragedy on October 14 2018.

Hundreds of people, meanwhile, gathered today at a ceremony to remember those killed in the attack, which was blamed on the al-Qaida-linked al-Shabab group.

The ceremony was attended by top government officials including Mogadishu Mayor Omar Mohamud Mohamed Finish and the district commissioners.

There was also large crowd of people most of them were youth to remember the day their brothers, fathers, mothers, sisters and even friends were killed in the attack. According to a government report, 687 people were killed, 300 injured and 2,000 children orphaned.

Somali security forces were deployed across major installations in the restive capital Mogadishu as the nation marked the second anniversary of the bombing attack that left hundreds of people dead.

According to the UN and Somali government, the explosion killed at least 587 people and ranks as one of the deadliest ever terrorist attacks in Africa involving the use of improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

The UN’S Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Somalia, James Swan today remembered the victims of the attack and reaffirmed the world body’s solidarity with and commitment to all Somalis.

The UN also lauded the resilient spirit of the Somali people and noted how the country’s progress towards peace and prosperity has continued unabated despite sporadic incidents of terrorism.

Al Qaeda affiliate Al Shabaab has been fighting for more than a decade to overthrow successive internationally-backed governments in Mogadishu.