The Somali news agency reported that security forces are conducting an operation to neutralize armed militants from Al-Shabaab who attacked a hotel in the capital, Mogadishu, today. The group has claimed responsibility for the attack. The capital's ambulance service stated that the attack occurred at the popular "Pearl" restaurant located on Lido beach in the early evening, injuring at least seven people. The Somali news agency tweeted, "Security forces are currently conducting an operation to neutralize Al-Shabaab militants who attacked civilians at a hotel on Lido beach in Mogadishu," confirming that several civilians have been rescued from the attack site and that the operation is ongoing. The Minister of Health arrived at the scene accompanied by medical teams to monitor the condition of the injured.
Images have emerged showing security forces heroically handling the situation and rescuing civilians at the scene of the ongoing operation to neutralize Al-Shabaab militants who attacked a hotel on Lido beach in Mogadishu.
Al-Shabaab, linked to al-Qaeda, claimed responsibility for the attack, stating in a statement that its members managed to enter Pearl beach and took control of it. The agency also reported that a mortar shell explosion near the town of Qoryooley in the Lower Shabelle region of Somalia resulted in about 27 deaths, most of whom were children, and injured 53 others today.
