Turkey condemns hotel attack ‘aimed at terrorizing efforts’ for Somalia people

“We condemn the terror attack,” the Turkish Foreign Ministry said in a statement released on June 2, extending condolences to victims’ relatives and the “fraternal Somalia people” as well as get-well-soon wishes to those wounded.

In Mogadishu, officials said Somali security forces have ended a siege by extremist gunmen that killed least 15 people, including two members of parliament, at a hotel in the Somali capital after an all-night gunfight.

“It is quite apparent that this attack had the aim of terrorizing efforts for peace, stability and development exerted in Somalia,” the Turkish Foreign Ministry said. 

“Turkey will resolutely continue to give all kinds of support so that the friendly and fraternal people of Somalia will reach peace and stability,” it added.

The attack came on the eve of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, during which extremists often increase attacks. Al-Shabaab, an al-Qaeda affiliate, is attempting to oust Somalia’s Western-backed government, which is bolstered by African Union troops.

Earlier this week, a grant agreement signed between Turkey and Somalia entered into force, as Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan departed for a small tour of African countries.

The agreement, which Turkey’s Official Gazette said was signed by the two countries “within the spirit of historical and cultural ties as well as the long existing good relations between the parties” and was aimed at “strengthening and enhancing good relations,” went into force only a few hours before Erdoğan departed on May 31 on a four-day, two-country visit to East Africa that will continue until June 3.

As of June 2, it was not clear whether he would make an unannounced stopover in Somalia to meet top officials after first visiting Uganda and Kenya.