Mogadishu Commemorates First Anniversary of Deadly Soobe Junction Attack

Mogadishu – One year after the devastating terrorist attack at Soobe junction that resulted in more than 300 deaths, a memorial event was organized in the capital city to remember the victims and show resilience against the perpetrators, identified as the Khawarij.

According to a news release by the Somali National News Agency, the event was jointly organized by the National Disaster Management Agency and the Ministry of Education of the Federal Republic of Somalia. It aimed to demonstrate the resilience of the education sector, which has been a specific target for the extremists. Ministers of Health, Education, and Interior, along with other high-ranking officials, attended the commemoration.

Representatives from various segments of Mogadishu society also participated, highlighting a unified stance against violence and extremism. The Deputy Governor of Banadir for Finance was also present at the event.

The Director of the National Disaster Management Agency, Mahmoud Macalin Abdulle, equated the Khawarij with those who commit violence against Muslim people. Meanwhile, the Ministers of Health and Interior, Dr. Ali Xaaji and Ahmed Macalin Fiqi, emphasized that the Khawarij specifically aim to disrupt the education sector and called for collective responsibility in their eradication.

The Minister of Education, Farah Sheikh Abdulkadir, pledged ongoing efforts to combat the Khawarij and to provide free and accessible education throughout Somalia. Some youth participants also expressed their pride in their community’s stance against terrorism and voiced hopes for a future free from fear and insecurity.

The October 29, 2022, attack was among the deadliest in Somalia’s history, with the Khawarij claiming responsibility and stating their aim was to target government officials and security forces.