Over 20 killed as Somali forces end siege at restaurant

Somalia’s security forces have ended a siege at a beachfront restaurant in the capital, with more than 20 people killed in the attack.

Police official Captain Mohamed Hussein, speaking from the scene in Mogadishu, said security forces took control of the restaurant just before dawn on Friday.

It was not clear whether the report of more than 20 killed included the assailants.

Blasts and bursts of gunfire could be heard as Somali special forces went from room to room pursuing the al-Shabab gunmen who were holed up inside the restaurant.

Capt Hussein said the security forces rescued many people who were trapped inside the restaurant’s hall, where a party was taking place when the attack started on Thursday.