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File photo of Mogadishu from an attack in January of this year. SIPA USA/PA Images

Eleven people killed as gunmen hold hostages at Somali city restaurant

The attack began when a car bomb exploded outside a Pizza House restaurant in the Somali capital of Mogadishu.

SOMALI POLICE SAY that forces have shot dead two of the gunmen holed up inside a restaurant in Somalia’s capital and rescued 10 people who were being held hostage.

Captain Mohamed Hussein said five attackers are thought to remain in the Pizza House restaurant with an untold number of hostages. He says heavy gunfire has been heard inside.

Hussein says the attackers have switched off the electricity, complicating efforts by security forces.

Tonight’s attack in Mogadishu began when a car bomb exploded at the restaurant gate. Police say at least nine people are dead and several wounded.

The Somalia-based extremist group al-Shabab has claimed responsibility.

SOMALIA AP AP

Gunmen dressed as military forces were holding dozens of hostages inside a popular restaurant in Somalia’s capital in an attack that began when a car bomb exploded at the gate, police and a witness said Wednesday night, while the extremist group al-Shabab claimed responsibility.

Police said at least nine people had been killed and several wounded. Most of the victims were young men who were entering the Pizza House when the vehicle exploded, Captain Mohamed Hussein said.

A burst of gunfire was later heard inside the restaurant, Hussein said.

The gunmen “were dressed in military uniforms. They forced those fleeing the site to go inside” the restaurant, witness Nur Yasin told The Associated Press.

The blast largely destroyed the restaurant’s facade and sparked a fire.

While al-Shabab claimed to have attacked the neighboring Posh Treats restaurant, which is frequented by the city’s elite and was damaged in the blast, security officials said the Pizza House was targeted instead.

Security forces rescued Asian, Ethiopian, Kenyan and other workers at Posh Treats as the attack continued, Hussein said.

The Somalia-based al-Shabab often targets high-profile areas of Mogadishu, including hotels, military checkpoints and areas near the presidential palace.

It has vowed to step up attacks after the recently elected government launched a new military offensive against it.

Al-Shabab last year became the deadliest Islamic extremist group in Africa, with more than 4,200 people killed in 2016, according to the Washington-based Africa Center for Strategic Studies.

The extremist group also faces a new military push from the United States after President Donald Trump approved expanded operations, including airstrikes, against al-Shabab.

On Sunday, the US military in Africa said it carried out an airstrike in southern Somalia that killed eight Islamic extremists at a rebel command and logistics camp.

Somalia President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed confirmed that airstrike and said such attacks would disrupt the group’s ability to conduct new attacks.

With a new federal government established, pressure is growing on Somalia’s military to assume full responsibility for the country’s security.

The 22,000-strong African Union multinational force, AMISOM, which has been supporting the fragile central government, plans to start withdrawing in 2018 and leave by the end of 2020.

Today, the UN Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution extending the UN political mission in the Horn of Africa nation, which is trying to rebuild after more than two decades as a failed state, until 31 March 2018. The resolution recognized that “this is a critical moment for Somalia”.

Read: Four killed and others injured after San Francisco warehouse shooting

Read: Bernie Sanders says suspect who shot Republicans volunteered on his campaign

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5 Comments
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    Mute Janet Coyle
    Favourite Janet Coyle
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    Aug 16th 2015, 2:37 PM

    God Rest Him and Condolences to his family and friends it must be so hard for them when it’s so far away x

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    Mute Carmel Roselli- O'Keeffe
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    Aug 16th 2015, 10:03 PM

    Govan was an amazing talented footballer and chess-player from Portmarnock. The nicest and most humble family you could meet. Thoughts with his family-how terribly tragic and unfair. RIP

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    Mute Jim Kearney
    Favourite Jim Kearney
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    Aug 17th 2015, 9:20 AM

    Heard he was 1 in a Million. it’s always the good 1s.

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    Mute Cupid Stunt
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    Aug 16th 2015, 4:33 PM

    poor guy, dying miles away from home,I hope his family get any help they need to get him back.

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    Mute fuve
    Favourite fuve
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    Aug 16th 2015, 6:24 PM

    Highly doubtful they will get any support at all. My little brother died in Australia suddenly and not one person gave my family any support from Ireland or Australia. The only helpful ones were the gardai from blessington station proper gents. They had to tell my mam. Irish embassy no help police in Australia proper gents and also helped her. She couldn’t fly over either because was the week of the volcano eruption in Iceland
    Airlines helped so much to trying to get her on flight. Cost my mam thousands to get my brother flown home. Not one Irish politician got in contact to offer assistance or condolences. Rest in peace poor lad deepest condolences to his family x

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    Mute John Payne
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    Aug 16th 2015, 9:22 PM

    Doesn’t surprise me in the slightest to be honest. By stating they are providing assistance, what they generally mean is that they have directed the relatives or concerned person towards the nearest embassy that Ireland has an agreement with, and that is as good as useless, from experience.

    Fact is, our passport is great when you travel, but shite when you need the government’s help (certain, well-known, exceptions noted). The U.S. Passport, and holder, while targeted in many places, is assured assistance throughout the world, albeit at a cost of paying taxes wherever you work….

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    Mute Janet Coyle
    Favourite Janet Coyle
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    Aug 16th 2015, 8:58 PM

    Sorry to hear about your brother and shocking to hear the very little assistance you got at such a tragic and hard time x

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    Mute fuve
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    Aug 16th 2015, 10:50 PM

    Thanks Janet x if wasn’t for the decency of police on both sides and tireless efforts in helping our family I dread to think what would have happened. I hope this family get the assistance they need.

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    Mute Diana Moynihan
    Favourite Diana Moynihan
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    Aug 18th 2015, 7:59 AM

    Every parent’s worst nightmare, hope they find comfort in the fact that he was so happy travelling. It’s heartbreaking that he won’t get to tell them all about his adventure. Rest in Peace, sounds like you were one amazing guy

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