20 dead as Somali forces end beach siege

Somali forces have successfully ended a siege at a beach front in the capital of Mogadishu, Friday, after Al-Shabab militants launched an attack on revelers at the fun spot.

As at the last count, 20 people have been confirmed dead in the attack according to local reports but it was not clear whether the dead included the assailants.

Speaking from the scene of the attack in Mogadishu, Capt. Mohamed Hussein said the security forces took control of the restaurant just before dawn.

Blasts and bursts of gunfire could be heard as Somali Special Forces went from room to room pursuing Al-Shabab gunmen who were holed up inside the restaurant.

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Hussein said the security forces rescued many people who had been trapped inside the restaurant’s hall, where a party was taking place when the attack started on Thursday.

Gun wielding militants spoilt the fun of revelers at popular beach front restaurants in Mogadishu the capital of Somalia when they went on rampage.

According to reports, the militants first struck with a car bomb early in the evening which was followed by the emergence of gunmen approaching from the beach.

According to reports, a second car bomb went off half an hour later with at least three people reported dead with the toll expected to rise.

Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke, the Somali Prime Minister condemned the attack which has been claimed by Al-Shabab describing it as “barbaric”.

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