Auto bomb at restaurant in Somali capital, ongoing gunfire

Gunmen raided a beach restaurant in the Somali capital of Mogadishu, killing 10 people and seizing hostages amid fierce battles with security forces, authorities said.

The group with links to al-Qaeda claimed responsibility for the Thursday evening attack, according to Radio Andulus, a broadcaster that supports the militants.

The attackers set off a vehicle bomb at the Banadir restaurant at the city’s Lido beach before engaging security forces in a fight for several hours.

Shabaab jihadists attacked the Banadir Beach Restaurant close to the Lido Beach of the city.

The standoff started Thursday when three attackers armed with AK-47 riffles stormed the restaurant and clashed with security forces stationed around the building, said Capt. Abdulkadir Mohamed of the Somali police.

The Associated Press reported that a auto bomber had prematurely detonated an explosives-laden vehicle near the new Turkish embassy compound in the capital, according to a Somali police officer.

The assailants also threw grenades at the security services who cordoned off the area.

On Wednesday, a Somali colonel was shot dead by al-Shabaab in the western part of Mogadishu.

In this year, It is the second time, the group has attacked the Lido beach area.

Iraqi officials say a series of bombings and shooting across the Iraqi capital has killed 13 people and wounded 24. Government officials worry they will try to disrupt elections slated to be held in September and October.