This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-35377484

The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Somalia: Gun and bomb attacks at Lido beach in Mogadishu Somalia: 20 dead in gun and bomb attacks at Lido beach
(about 11 hours later)
Popular beachfront restaurants have been hit by car bombs and gunmen in the Somali capital Mogadishu. Islamist militants have attacked popular beachfront restaurants in the Somali capital Mogadishu, killing 20 people, the security ministry says.
The first car bomb went off in the early evening, followed soon after by as many as five gunmen approaching from the beach. A second car bomb went off half an hour later, BBC Somali reports. Two car bombs exploded about an hour apart early on Thursday evening. In between, gunmen approached from the beach, firing on diners.
One report said at least three people had died. The toll is feared to rise. A siege followed, lasting eight hours, but has now ended, the ministry said.
Al-Shabab said it was behind the attack and its fighters were still in one of the cafes. Al-Shabab said it was behind the attack. The group has carried out frequent assaults on the capital.
The Somali Prime Minister, Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke, condemned the attack as "barbaric". Somali Prime Minister, Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke, condemned the attack as "barbaric".
There are varying reports about how the attack started but it appears that as the first car bomb went off, at around 19:30 local time (16:30 GMT), the gunmen stormed the area. There are varying reports about how the attack started but it appears that as the first car bomb went off, at around 19:30 local time (16:30 GMT) on Thursday, the gunmen stormed the area.
The Beach View and Lido Sea Food restaurants were targeted, Abdirahman Koronto from the BBC's Somali service reports. They are reported to have burst into one of the restaurants and took hostages.
A police officer at the scene told Reuters news agency the gunmen were "still inside" one of the restaurants. "We cannot know the number of casualties inside," Major Farah Abdulle said. "They randomly fired at the people sitting near the beach before entering the restaurant,'' witness Ahmed Nur told Associated Press.
Al-Shabab spokesman Sheikh Abdiasis Abu Musab told Reuters: "We are inside and control the cafe. There are many casualties lying inside and outside the cafe." The Somali authorities said they have arrested the suspected leader of the attack. Twenty people were injured, police said.
It is not clear whether the death toll includes any of the assailants.
At the scene: Ali-Bashe Abdullahi Abdi, director of Mustakbal Radio, MogadishuAt the scene: Ali-Bashe Abdullahi Abdi, director of Mustakbal Radio, Mogadishu
After the evening prayer, I went to Lido beach, in particular Beach View restaurant. When I was there about 30 minutes, and I was spending time with my friends including journalists, we saw bullets raining on us.After the evening prayer, I went to Lido beach, in particular Beach View restaurant. When I was there about 30 minutes, and I was spending time with my friends including journalists, we saw bullets raining on us.
A good number of people were seated around me, there was a wedding ceremony at the hall of the restaurant. We started running towards the door, but before I reached we heard a loud explosion.A good number of people were seated around me, there was a wedding ceremony at the hall of the restaurant. We started running towards the door, but before I reached we heard a loud explosion.
I saw some people jumping from second floor. Bullets were flying all over the place, and there was another explosion. Then everyone got confused. I personally saw three wounded people. I did not see those who have been harmed by the explosions. I think the car was parked near the main door of the restaurant.I saw some people jumping from second floor. Bullets were flying all over the place, and there was another explosion. Then everyone got confused. I personally saw three wounded people. I did not see those who have been harmed by the explosions. I think the car was parked near the main door of the restaurant.
Lido Beach, on the northern edge of Mogadishu, attracts thousands of mostly young Somalis looking to relax and enjoy the beach and the surf.Lido Beach, on the northern edge of Mogadishu, attracts thousands of mostly young Somalis looking to relax and enjoy the beach and the surf.
Several restaurants have opened up along the beach front in recent years, and people would have been sitting out in front of them when the attacks began.Several restaurants have opened up along the beach front in recent years, and people would have been sitting out in front of them when the attacks began.
Al-Shabab, which has links to al-Qaeda, has carried out similar attacks in the past. The group was ousted from Mogadishu in August 2011, but still has a presence in large areas of southern Somalia and frequently targets the capital. Al-Shabab, which has links to al-Qaeda, was ousted from Mogadishu in August 2011, but still has a presence in large areas of southern Somalia.
The group stormed an African Union military base last week in southern Somalia, killing dozens of Kenyan troops.The group stormed an African Union military base last week in southern Somalia, killing dozens of Kenyan troops.