NEWS– At least eight people were killed and 28 others were injured after al-Shabab militants attacked a crowded beachfront area in Mogadishu City in Somalia and the al-Shabaab militant group has claimed responsibility for the attack.
The head of Aamin Ambulance Service, Dr Abdulkadir Abdirahman Aden, which operates in Mogadishu said that the attacks started with an explosion by a suicide bomber at the crowded beach as beachgoers were on a late weekend night out.
After the first explosion went off, five al-Shabaab gunmen stormed a beachfront dining and entertainment building where they opened fire randomly, but all the five attackers were shot dead by security forces and the sixth militant blew himself up.
The Somali government immediately deployed security forces to engage the attackers and they ended the siege nearly four hours after the attack and the injured were rushed to Mogadishu hospitals which is now appealing for blood donations to assist those injured in the attack.
Al-Shabab has attacked Lido Beach restaurants and hotels multiple times over the years because it is a favorite spot for families, young people and returning diaspora members to socialize.
Additional Reporting By Reuters.
