Gunmen attack beach restaurant in Somalia's Mogadishu

MOGADISHU: At least seven people were killed in a bomb and gun attack on a beach restaurant in the Somalian capital of Mogadishu, police said on Friday.

Shabaab jihadists attacked the Banadir Beach Restaurant in Mogadishu on Thursday, setting off a car bomb before exchanging fire with security forces, an AFP correspondent said.

Security forces said they killed two attackers and arrested another after a six-hour operation overnight.

The al-Qaeda-linked Shabaab group claimed responsibility for the attack through the website of their Andalus radio station.

The Banadir Beach Restaurant near Lido beach is a popular eatery frequented by young people and Somali officials.

As in other recent Shabaab attacks, the violence began with the militants setting off a nearby car bomb before storming the building and engaging in a gunfight with security forces.
 

From their position inside the restaurant, the attackers also lobbed several grenades at the security services who cordoned off the area, the correspondent said.

Somali authorities said the car bomb had failed to fully detonate and they escorted local reporters to a nearby hospital where they presented a wounded man, with his head bandaged, as the bomber.

The Somali national news agency Sonna said some 20 people had been able to escape from the restaurant during the gunfight with the help of security forces.

The Shabaab group is fighting to overthrow the internationally-backed government in the capital Mogadishu.

It was forced out of the capital by AU soldiers five years ago but continues to launch regular attacks including in recent months on restaurants, hotels and military bases.