Al-Shabab gunmen have attacked a seafront restaurant and cafe in the Somali capital, Mogadishu, a spokesman of the government confirmed to Al Jazeera.
Two explosions followed by gunfire hit the entrance of the Beach View cafe and Lido Sea Food restaurant on the popular Lido beach on Thursday evening, witnesses said.
There were no immediate reports of casualties.
“The lights at Lido Sea Food have just been switched off. Heavy gunfire is now ongoing,” Abdirizak Mohamud, a freelance journalist at the scene, told Al Jazeera.
“Security forces are trying to go in.” Mohamud added.
The Lido beach area is home to several restaurants, which are usually full on Thursday nights – the start of the weekend in Somalia.
Al-Shabab claimed responsibility for the attack in a phone call to Al Jazeera. The spokesman also said the attack was ongoing.
Source: Al Jazeera
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