Provides particulars on attacker’s identification
MOGADISHU, June 9 (Reuters) – Somalia’s safety forces are conducting an operation to neutralise fighters belonging to al Shabaab who attacked a lodge within the capital Mogadishu on Friday, the state information company mentioned, whereas the group claimed accountability for the assault.
The assault on the favored upmarket Pearl Restaurant, on the capital’s Lido Seashore, occurred early on Friday night and has wounded not less than seven folks, the capital’s ambulance service mentioned.
“Safety forces are at the moment conducting an operation to neutralize al Shabaab militants who attacked civilians at a lodge on Lido seaside in Mogadishu,” Somali Nationwide Information Company mentioned on Twitter.
“Many civilians have been rescued from the scene and the operation is ongoing.”
Hussein Mohamed, a waiter at one other restaurant close by, advised Reuters he heard a blast adopted by gunfire when the assault began.
“The entire space is cordoned by forces,” he mentioned.
Abdikadir Abdirahman, the director of Aamin Ambulance Providers , mentioned that they had to date obtained seven individuals who had been wounded on the lodge.
“We’re nonetheless there for service,” he mentioned.
Al Qaeda-linked al Shabaab mentioned it was behind the assault.
“The Mujahideen managed to enter the Pearl seaside and are nonetheless totally in management,” the group mentioned in a press release.
(Reporting by Abdi Sheikh and Feisal Omar; Writing by George Obulutsa; Modifying by Jonathan Oatis and Chizu Nomiyama)
((george.obulutsa@thomsonreuters.com; Reuters Messaging: george.obulutsa.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.internet))
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