MOGADISHU, Oct. 18 (Xinhua) -- Somali President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed on Wednesday vowed to decisively respond to the Saturday terror attack warning the militant group it would pay heavily for the attack.
Addressing thousands of Somalis who gathered at a stadium in the country's capital Mogadishu, the president, widely known as Farmajo, said he will take the war to Al-Shabaab, adding Saturday's attack signified insufficient response in the past.
"This attack reminds us we did not act boldly enough in the past. I want to tell you that this time we will respond decisively," Farmajo told a cheering crowd.
Thousands of Mogadishu residents turned up at Banadir stadium to mark the end of the three days mourning announced by Farmajo.
Earlier in the day, thousands of protesters took to the streets in Mogadishu and other towns in the country in a show of defiance against Al-Shabaab which is yet to claim responsibility for the attack. Somali government and security agencies have laid blame on Al-Shabaab.
Farmajo called for unity among Somalis and urged the country's youth to stand for the country.
"To our youth, I am calling on you to stand up for your country. Stand up for your mothers, sisters and brothers and defend your religion. We can win this war if we unite."
Medical sources and emergency centers have put the death toll at 303 while close to 100 others are still missing.
The Somali leader said the government had put up a 14 million U.S. dollars fund for civilian defense. Security agencies said Tuesday they had arrested three suspects.
