Al-Qaeda-linked Al-Shabab attack a beachfront Somali restaurant
Al-Qaeda-linked Al-Shabab attack a beachfront Somali restaurant
At least five people were killed after a bomb exploded and gunmen fired at people sitting near the beach in the Somali capital Mogadishu on Thursday evening.
2 min read
Five people were killed in the violence at Lido Beach in Mogadishu [AFP]
A car bomb exploded at a popular seaside restaurant in the Somali capital Mogadishu on Thursday, before gunmen randomly fired at people sitting near the beach before entering the restaurant.
It has been reported that five people had been killed in the attack, which was claimed by Al-Qaeda-linked Al-Shabab insurgents.
It was also reported that another bomb went off half an hour later.
The Somali Prime Minister Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke condemned the "barbaric" attack on Twitter and said his "thoughts and prayers are with the victims."
Lido beach
"There was a car bomb explosion at a restaurant at the Lido beach," police officer Ahmed Bidan said, reporting "shooting and gunfire" immediately after the blast. Later calm returned to the area.
The Lido beach area in Mogadishu is busy with restaurants, including upmarket establishments popular with business people and diaspora Somalis who have returned home to the city.
The Al-Shebab, who are fighting to overthrow the internationally-backed government in Mogadishu, carry out regular attacks in the capital.
The Islamists are on a mission to disprove claims they are close to defeat since being routed from Mogadishu in mid-2011 and losing several alleged commanders to US drone strikes.
Last week the insurgents stormed a Kenyan army base in southwest Somalia, in the latest incident of an AU Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) base being overrun by the militants.
An Al-Shebab statement said that more than 100 Kenyan soldiers based at the mission were killed and others captured.
Kenya has so far declined to say how many of its soldiers were killed, injured or remain missing.
It has been reported that five people had been killed in the attack, which was claimed by Al-Qaeda-linked Al-Shabab insurgents.
It was also reported that another bomb went off half an hour later.
The Somali Prime Minister Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke condemned the "barbaric" attack on Twitter and said his "thoughts and prayers are with the victims."
Lido beach
"There was a car bomb explosion at a restaurant at the Lido beach," police officer Ahmed Bidan said, reporting "shooting and gunfire" immediately after the blast. Later calm returned to the area.
The Lido beach area in Mogadishu is busy with restaurants, including upmarket establishments popular with business people and diaspora Somalis who have returned home to the city.
The Al-Shebab, who are fighting to overthrow the internationally-backed government in Mogadishu, carry out regular attacks in the capital.
The Islamists are on a mission to disprove claims they are close to defeat since being routed from Mogadishu in mid-2011 and losing several alleged commanders to US drone strikes.
Last week the insurgents stormed a Kenyan army base in southwest Somalia, in the latest incident of an AU Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) base being overrun by the militants.
An Al-Shebab statement said that more than 100 Kenyan soldiers based at the mission were killed and others captured.
Kenya has so far declined to say how many of its soldiers were killed, injured or remain missing.
With agencies
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