Militants Kill 20 in Somali Beach Restaurant Attack

Over 20 people were killed after Islamist militants attacked a popular beachfront restaurant in the Somali capital Mogadishu Thursday.

Al-Shabab claimed responsibility for an attack last week on Kenyan peacekeepers in southwestern Somalia.

Those who survived described how the gunmen sprayed those in the restaurant with automatic weapons.

The United States has reaffirmed its commitment in supporting Kenya’s fight against Al-Shabaab at a time the country is mourning its soldiers killed in Somalia.

The group said some of its members rammed a auto with explosives into the popular Beach View Hotel while gunmen opened fire at people in nearby restaurants and on the beach, which is popular with surfers.

The BBC said a auto drove into the entrance of a restaurant close to the beach and exploded.

Somali security forces ended the siege after nearly eight hours of gunfight with the militants.

A second explosion hit the nearby Lido Seafood restaurant, where several gunmen were reportedly holed up.

Kenyan troops have intervened in recent years to support Somalia’s unstable government.

Al Shabaab disputed the claim and went ahead to publish graphic images showing bullet-riddled bodies of dozens of Kenyan soldiers.

Kenya has so far refused to say how many of its soldiers were killed, injured or remain missing, however.

The group, which has ties with al-Qaeda, has also carried out many deadly attacks inside Kenya.

Government forces went into the restaurant after the first explosion.

“They randomly fired at the people sitting near the beach before entering the restaurant”, witness Ahmed Nur told Associated Press.

“They shot and killed indiscriminately”, police Captain Mohamed Aloley said at the scene of the assault. “People are fleeing towards the countryside and other towns for safety”, said Abdullahi Ali, a shop owner in the village.