Radio Islam News and Agencies | 17 October 2017

Qatar’s embassy building in Mogadishu was severely damaged in the deadly truck bombing that shook the Somali capital on Saturday leaving at least 300 persons dead.

The Director of the Information Office at the Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Ahmed bin Saeed al-Rumaihi, conveyed the news of the damage incurred to the mission by the explosion, which was set off near the embassy building over the weekend.

Al-Rumaihi said that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs contacted the embassy to check on the Qatari diplomats and the managers, as well as the rest of the embassy staff, adding that the charge d’affaires was slightly injured in the explosion but was now in good health. The rest of the embassy staff were also fine.

A statement added that the ministry contacted the Somali authorities to take all necessary measures to secure the safety of the staff of the embassy and their families.

Qatar’s foreign minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani confirmed the development on Twitter Monday saying the attack on Qatari diplomatic mission in Mogadishu would not deter his nation’s support for Somalia’s “democracy, security and stability.”

Qatar blockade

In recent months, the Horn of Africa state has found itself caught in the crosshairs of the Saudi Arabia-UAE led blockade of Qatar.

Reports have alleged that Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates had offered the government in Mogadishu an additional $81 million to join the boycott of Qatar. Nonetheless, Mogadishu had withstood the pressures, refusing to side with the conglomeration of Gulf States in their diplomatic offensive against Doha.

Instead, Somalia’s President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed called on all countries involved to engage in a dialogue.

“The cabinet reaffirms the federal government’s decision in June … that Somalia is neutral about the conflict of Gulf countries,” read a statement issued by the office of Prime Minister last month.

The statement called on “the conflict be solved brotherly, peacefully and diplomatically.”

In rejecting the blockade of Doha, Somalia also continued to allow Qatari planes passage through its airspace.

The federal government also issued a strong rebuke when its three semi-autonomous regions announced they would be cutting ties with Qatar in September. The seat of power responded by saying only it had the authority to speak on foreign affairs, asserting that Somalia was determined to stay neutral amidst the fracas.

As yet, no group has claimed responsibility for the deadly blast. Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar have all issued statements condemning the attack.