UPDATED (8:00 PM EST): Updated with additional information as siege continues.
The siege at a popular restaurant and hotel in Mogadishu, Somalia continues after a raid by militants on Thursday evening, local time.
The militants set off explosions and sprayed bullets at the businesses, located near the popular Lido Beach on Thursday evening, leaving an unknown number of people dead and wounded. Authorities told the Associated Press at least three people have been killed.
The attack began just after sunset at Lido Beach when witnesses reportedly heard two explosions followed by outbursts of gunfire. The explosions were reported to be car bombs, which reportedly targeted popular restaurant at the beach, The Beach View Cafe and Lido Sea Food, in an area where diners often sit outside.
The National Intelligence & Security Agency (NISA) of Somalia tweeted that the attackers disrupted a party for university graduates at the restaurant.
UGUS attacked a Civilian popular Liido Beach, in a barbaric attack to kill newly graduated University students having a happy night together— NISA (@HSNQ_NISA) January 21, 2016
Capt. Mohamed Hussein told the Associated Press he believes the attackers may have taken some hostages inside the Beach View Cafe, which is popular with the city's elite and government officials. Other fighters were reported to have holed up inside a nearby hotel, which police said was under the attackers' control.
"The operation (to dislodge the attackers) is ongoing now. The (attackers) are still inside and fighting our troops," Hussein said from the scene of the attack as gunfire rang out in the background. He said he had counted at least three bodies outside the restaurant. An unknown number of people are still trapped inside the restaurant, he said.
An unknown number of people are still trapped inside the restaurant, and the death toll is likely to rise when the attack is over, he said, adding that darkness is hampering efforts by the security forces to overwhelm the assailants.
- At least 7 deaths confirmed including a civil servant with the Ministry of finance; death toll expected to rise after siege ends.— Harun Maruf (@HarunMaruf) January 22, 2016
- Officials, journalists and other civilians, 60 in total rescued after security forces prevented militants from entering a large hall.— Harun Maruf (@HarunMaruf) January 22, 2016
Gunfire could be heard inside the restaurant, suggesting that the gunmen were killing civilians trapped inside, he said.
Witnesses said that gunmen shouted "Allahu akbar," the Arabic phrase for "God is great," and entered the restaurant from the direction of the beach as clients, sitting behind razor wire, watched the seashore.
"They randomly fired at the people sitting near the beach before entering the restaurant," said witness Ahmed Nur, who was strolling along on the shoreline when the attack happened.
Witnesses said they were wearing suicide vests.
A witness told the BBC that the gunshots were heard shortly before a car rammed into the entrance of the restaurant along the beach at 7:30 p.m. local time, which then exploded. In the wake of that first explosion came more gunshots, and witnesses said that as many as five militants, believed to be from al-Shabab, began exchanging gunfire with police and firing "indiscriminately" on civilians.
BREAKING: Gunfire followed by powerful explosion reported at Mogadishu beach, witnesses.— Harun Maruf (@HarunMaruf) January 21, 2016
BREAKING: Heavily armed militants wearing suicide vests "took over" at least one beach restaurant and hotel, sources.— Harun Maruf (@HarunMaruf) January 21, 2016
BREAKING: Al-Shabab militants in "full control" of Beach View hotel and restaurant, sources. #LidoBeachAttack— Harun Maruf (@HarunMaruf) January 21, 2016
Soon, a second car bomb exploded.
Attackers came from east side of #Seafood and fired indiscriminately. Then huge blast rocked before #BeachView gate followed by gunshots.— ABDINUR MOHAMED (@Nabad_Somalia) January 21, 2016
Car bomb hits Beach veiw hotel in #Mogadishu, then gunmen stormed. 2nd car bomb explodes, gunfire still heard inside the hotel. #Somalia— Live From Mogadishu (@Daudoo) January 21, 2016
Somali Prime Minister Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke took to Twitter to condemn the attackers, as did Michael Keating, the UN's Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Somalia, who said that his "thoughts are with the people at this beach."
I unreservedly condemn the barbaric attack @ Liido. My thoughts and prayers are with the victims #Somalia— @SomaliPM (@SomaliPM) January 21, 2016
I strongly condemn tonight's attack. #Lido beach is symbol of #Somalia life. My thoughts are with the people at this beach of #Mogadishu— Michael Keating (@SRSGKeating) January 21, 2016
A popular destination for tourists and locals alike, Lido Beach has been the subject of heavy surveillance by authorities, who said they had feared an attack. It's among the country's most popular beaches; the Mogadishu tourism board's website heralds it as "Mogadishu's Miami beach."