Somali media reported that security forces killed gunmen who attacked patrons at a popular beach in the capital, Mogadishu, without immediate information on the extent of the casualties, according to Agence France-Presse.
A spokesperson for the Somali police said on Friday night that Islamist attacks on a hotel and a famous beach in Mogadishu resulted in at least 14 deaths and more than 30 injuries. The death toll is likely to rise as security forces continued to fight the attackers until midnight (21:00 GMT). The sound of gunfire was heard in the background, and rescue teams could not reach the injured due to ongoing shooting. In addition to gunfire, explosions were also heard. A beach hotel was also attacked. Lido Beach is a popular weekend destination for Mogadishu residents. According to police reports, the shooting was preceded by a suicide bombing. Al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for the attack via its radio station.
The group controls areas in parts of Somalia but has been expelled from the capital in recent years. Meanwhile, the Somali National News Agency reported that “civilians on Lido Beach in the Abdulaziz area of Mogadishu faced an attack on Friday evening.”
It added that “swift action by security forces neutralized the attackers, while medical teams are treating the victims at the scene.” Somali National Television provided the same information without further details on the casualties.
