Jordan condemns 'terrorist' attack in Somalia

AMMAN — Jordan on Saturday condemned the terrorist attack on a hotel in Somalia's Mogadishu, which resulted in many casualties and injuries.

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Sufian Qudah emphasised the Kingdom's absolute rejection and condemnation of all forms of violence and terrorism, according to a ministry statement.

Qudah expressed solidarity with Somalia, offering heartfelt condolences to the Somali government, its people, the families of the victims and wished the injured a speedy recovery.

An Al Shabaab suicide bomber and gunmen attacked a busy beach in the Somali capital Mogadishu killing at least 32 people and wounding scores more, in one of the deadliest strikes in the East African country in months, police said on Saturday as reported by AFP.

The Al Qaeda-linked extremists have been waging an insurgency against the internationally-backed federal government for more than 17 years and have already targeted the Lido beach area, popular with business people and officials, AFP added.

The assault, for which Al Shabaab claimed responsibility in a post on a pro-Shabaab website, began when a suicide bomber detonated a device and gunmen stormed the area.

Officer Mohamed Omar told AFP that members of the group had "shot civilians randomly", adding that security forces had ended the attack and killed five gunmen, while a sixth member of the group "blew himself [up] at the beach".