The White House announced Monday night it condemns the attacks that occurred in Somalia over the weekend, which has taken the lives of at least 300.
“The United States strongly condemns the senseless mass murder that targeted innocent men, women, and children in Mogadishu, Somalia on Oct. 14,” White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said in a statement. “The two attacks targeted a public, commercial area of the capital and resulted in the death and injury of hundreds of civilians, including United States citizens.”
“The United States extends our deepest condolences and sympathy to the victims, their families, and all those who have suffered from terrorism,” Sanders said.
Two car bombings occurred in Mogadishu, an area that has sustained violence for years, just minutes apart from each other.
The first bombing destroyed stalls and the Safari Hotel, and also damaged Qatar’s embassy, according to CNN. No one has died from the second bombing yet.
An al Qaeda-linked terror group called al-Shabaab has conducted similar car bombings previously. Although the group does not have control in Mogadishu anymore, it has continued to combat the Somali government.
The government has said al-Shabaab is responsible for the attack, but the group has not officially claimed responsibility, according to the Associated Press.
The U.S., which has increased drone strikes against al-Shabaab, expressed continued solidarity with the people of Somalia.
“Terrorist organizations are the enemies of all civilized people,” she added. “The United States stands with the people and government of Somalia in their commitment to defeating these groups, ensuring the security of their people, and rebuilding their country.” The car bombing is Somalia’s deadliest attack in modern history.
