20 dead as extremist gunmen attack beachside restaurant in Somalia

Islamic extremists have left more than 20 people dead in an attack on a beachfront restaurant in Somalia. The gunmen, from militant group al-Shabab, shouted “Allahu akbar,” the Arabic phrase for “God is great,” as they attacked the Beach View Cafe in the capital Mogadishu. They also detonated two car bombs near the popular venue on the city’s Lido beach. After an eight-hour siege, blasts and bursts of gunfire were heard as Somali special forces went from room to room pursuing the gunmen holed up inside. They regained control of the restaurant just before dawn on Friday, officials said.

We are inside and control the cafe. There are many casualties lying inside and outside the cafe.

Al-Shabab spokesman Sheikh Abdiasis Abu Musab

The gunmen attacked while a party was taking place in the restaurant. Abdulkadir Mohamed Somow, who had been trapped inside, said: “I was intending to go out but suddenly we heard a heavy explosion followed by gunfire. … I saw a militant fighter shooting indiscriminately on everybody. Then I locked myself inside a room until we were evacuated peacefully by the security forces.” Volunteers carried bodies from the scene of the attack early Friday. Police said the many people who had been trapped inside the restaurant were rescued.

They randomly fired at people sitting near the beach before entering the restaurant.

Witness Ahmed Nur

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