Suspected Somali extremists attack restaurant in the capital

Bomb explosions and intense gunfire that followed the blasts, have killed at least two people and injured four others at popular seaside restaurant in the Somali capital Mogadishu, according to witnesses. It wasn’t immediately clear if there were any casualties.

Mohamed Hussein, speaking from the scene of the attack in Mogadishu, said early Friday that security forces took control of the restaurant just before dawn.

A group of militants set off explosions and sprayed bullets at a popular beach in Mogadishu, Somalia, on Thursday evening, leaving an unknown number of people dead and wounded.

Al-Shabaab Islamist militants claimed responsibility for the assault on Radio Andalus, a broadcaster that supports the insurgents.

A second auto bomb was reported about an hour after the first vehicle rammed the gates of the restaurant, Lido Seafood.

Armed group claims responsibility for bomb and gun attack on seafront restaurant and cafe in the Somali capital.

“The operation (to overpower the attackers) is ongoing now”.

Another restaurant, Beach View, has reportedly also been attacked. “I can not tell the casualty outside”.

Another security source who requested anonymity said the death toll had reached at least five.

Abdirahman Halane was close by the restaurant when the gunmen attacked, and said some of those killed were hit by an explosion as they tried to flee.

Despite being pushed out of Somalia’s major cities and towns, al-Shabaab continues to launch deadly guerrilla attacks across the Horn of Africa country.