SOMALIA
Somali insurgent group, Al-Shabaab, on Wednesday evening attacked a restaurant in the capital Mogadishu.
Deaths were recorded in the attack with witnesses quoting between 9 -10 dead persons outside the Pizza House restaurant, according to a Voice of America journalist.
Security forces who rushed to the scene however managed to rescue a number of people among which were nationals of neighbouring Kenya and Ethiopia.
BREAKING: Police believe there are about 4 Al-Shabab militants inside the Pizza House; Gaashaan forces on site. #Mogadishu
The militants were also said to have detonated an explosive device outside the restaurant. The explosion is said to have impacted another facility, Posh Treats, located opposite the attacked restaurant.
A local journalist tweeted that police believed that there were about four militants in the facility and they were planning to storm the place. Al-Shabaab has carried out such attacks on restaurants in the past.
The group is the biggest security threat of the restive Horn of Africa nation. The al-Qaeda affiliate is also a transnational threat as their activities has extended to neighbouring Kenya where they continue to launch deadly attacks.
Somalia’s security set up is multi-pronged as part of efforts to combat the group. The Somali National Army (SNA) is complimented by African Union forces (AMISOM). Kenyan and Ethiopian troops are also involved in security operations in Somalia as is the United States.
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