A woman walks on the beach as black smoke is seen rising in the background following an attack in Mogadishu. AP

The UAE has strongly condemned the terrorist attack in Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu, which resulted in dozens of deaths and injuries to innocent people.

In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) affirmed that the UAE expresses its strong condemnation of these criminal acts and its permanent rejection of all forms of violence and terrorism aimed at undermining security and stability in contravention of international law.

The Ministry expressed its sincere condolences and sympathy to the government and people of the Federal Republic of Somalia, and to the families of the victims of this heinous crime, as well as its wishes for a speedy recovery for all the injured.

An Al-Shabaab suicide bomber and gunmen attacked a busy beach in the Somali capital Mogadishu killing 37 people and wounding scores more, officials said Saturday, one of the deadliest recent strikes in the East African country.

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

Survivors described how following the initial blast gunmen stormed onto the beach intending to "kill everyone they could".

Graphic video shared online immediately after showed bloodied bodies on the sand.

Agencies