MOGADISHU, Aug 3 (NNN-AGENCIES) — An unknown number of people were feared dead after militants stormed a popular beachside hotel in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia, on Friday evening, police and witnesses said.
Police and witnesses said that a blast targeted Lido Beach hotel and restaurant, which is located near some government security buildings in the city.
“I heard two loud explosions followed by continued gunfire within the vicinity of the hotel. Gunshots could be heard from the beach area. There was an exchange of fire between al-Shabab fighters and hotel security,” said a resident who did not want to be identified.
A suicide bomber detonated an explosive device at the beach after militants opened fire at the hotel, witnesses said.
The number of casualties is still unclear. Locals said there were several people inside the hotel, which is frequented by senior government officials.
Witnesses said security officers killed some of the militants involved in the attack, and that a rescue operation is underway.
The state-owned Somali National News Agency said security forces had “neutralized the attackers.” There was no immediate word on deaths and injuries.
Al-Qaida’s East Africa affiliate, al-Shabab, said through its radio that its fighters carried out the attack.
Lido Beach, a popular area in Mogadishu, is bustling on Friday nights as Somalis enjoy their weekend.
A witness, Mohamud Moalim, said in a phone call that he saw an attacker wearing an explosive vest moments before the man “blew himself up next to the beach-view hotel.”
Moalim said some of his friends who were with him at the hotel were killed and others were wounded.
Another witness, Abdisalam Adam, said that he “saw many people lying on the ground” and had helped take some injured people to the hospital.
The Lido Beach area has in the past been targeted by militants allied to al-Shabaab. The most recent attack last year resulted in nine people being killed. — NNN-AGENCIES
