SHAFAQNA – Two explosions and a subsequent a gunfight, occurred at a beach-side restaurant in the Somali capital, Mogadishu, on Thursday. An ongoing hostage situation has also been reported.
“A car bomb exploded at the entrance of Beach View Cafe at Lido beach,” Major Abdiqadir Ali, a senior police officer, told Reuters.
The blast was reportedly followed by a gunfight between security forces and attackers, during which another car exploded.
Twitter users also reported a “hostage situation” at the Beach View Cafe.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility. However, Islamist group Al-Shabaab has previously used the tactics of attacking hotels and restaurants popular among government officials.
According to local media, at least five gunmen were involved in the attack on the restaurant.
Local journalist, Hanur Maruf, wrote on Twitter that, according to his sources, the attackers have taken full control of the Beach View hotel and restaurant.