Disir
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- Sep 30, 2011
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NAIROBI, Kenya—A deadly orchestrated attack by Islamist militants on two popular seaside restaurants in Somalia’s capital is the latest reminder that they have been far from cowed by African Union troops and U.S. drone strikes against its leaders.
At least 14 people were killed late Thursday when a group of gunmen from the armed group al-Shabaab exploded a car bomb near two seafood restaurants along Mogadishu’s Indian Ocean waterfront. Another group of gunmen stormed the restaurants from the beach, according to Somalia’s security minister. Somali security forces finally ended the siege in the early hours of Friday.
Presidential spokesman Daud Aweis said eight militants carried the operation. Six were killed in the fighting and two were captured, he said.
The coordinated raid underscored al-Shabaab’s ability to launch major attacks in Somalia despite the success of forces of the African Union Mission in Somalia, or AMISOM, in retaking control of territory from the militant group in the past year.
It also signals the possible start of a period of bloody confrontations involving Islamist militants across Africa. Already in the new year, al Qaeda’s Saharan affiliate killed 30 people in a raid on a hotel in Burkina Faso, while Boko Haram militants are carrying out almost daily suicide attacks in the border region between Nigeria and Cameroon.
Al-Shabaab has been very active, too. Last week, it assaulted a Kenyan military base in southwestern Somalia in what may yet turn out as one of the worst defeats ever suffered by Kenyan government forces.
Islamist Militants Kill at Least 14 in Somalia Restaurant Siege
“The gunmen entered the popular Lido Sea Food Restaurant from the back door and started shooting... a few minutes later there was a heavy explosion at the front gate while people were trying to escape,” Halane said.
“There was confusion, everybody started panicking, and some of them ran towards the gunmen and they were shot dead, I was lucky to escape,” he said.
Another witness described how some of those killed had died in the large blast, while others were shot dead at point blank range.
“There is a big mess here and many people died, I saw the dead bodies of 19 people who were killed during the attack,” said Hussein Ali, who saw the bodies being carried out of the damaged building.
“Some of the people died in the explosion while fleeing and others were shot dead up close.
Shebab militants kill 20 in Somalia restaurant attack - Newspaper - DAWN.COM
It never ends.
At least 14 people were killed late Thursday when a group of gunmen from the armed group al-Shabaab exploded a car bomb near two seafood restaurants along Mogadishu’s Indian Ocean waterfront. Another group of gunmen stormed the restaurants from the beach, according to Somalia’s security minister. Somali security forces finally ended the siege in the early hours of Friday.
Presidential spokesman Daud Aweis said eight militants carried the operation. Six were killed in the fighting and two were captured, he said.
The coordinated raid underscored al-Shabaab’s ability to launch major attacks in Somalia despite the success of forces of the African Union Mission in Somalia, or AMISOM, in retaking control of territory from the militant group in the past year.
It also signals the possible start of a period of bloody confrontations involving Islamist militants across Africa. Already in the new year, al Qaeda’s Saharan affiliate killed 30 people in a raid on a hotel in Burkina Faso, while Boko Haram militants are carrying out almost daily suicide attacks in the border region between Nigeria and Cameroon.
Al-Shabaab has been very active, too. Last week, it assaulted a Kenyan military base in southwestern Somalia in what may yet turn out as one of the worst defeats ever suffered by Kenyan government forces.
Islamist Militants Kill at Least 14 in Somalia Restaurant Siege
“The gunmen entered the popular Lido Sea Food Restaurant from the back door and started shooting... a few minutes later there was a heavy explosion at the front gate while people were trying to escape,” Halane said.
“There was confusion, everybody started panicking, and some of them ran towards the gunmen and they were shot dead, I was lucky to escape,” he said.
Another witness described how some of those killed had died in the large blast, while others were shot dead at point blank range.
“There is a big mess here and many people died, I saw the dead bodies of 19 people who were killed during the attack,” said Hussein Ali, who saw the bodies being carried out of the damaged building.
“Some of the people died in the explosion while fleeing and others were shot dead up close.
Shebab militants kill 20 in Somalia restaurant attack - Newspaper - DAWN.COM
It never ends.