31 dead after militants storm Somalia eatery

MOGADISHU: At least 31 people were killed after an overnight siege of a popular restaurant in Somalia’s capital by al-Shabaab extremists ended on Thursday morning by security forces with all five attackers killed.

Police said many victims were killed at point-blank range after being hunted down.

Survivors described harrowing scenes of hiding under tables and behind curtains as attackers searched for patrons in the darkened Pizza House restaurant, firing their weapons.

Al-Shabaab claimed responsibility shortly after the assault began with a car bomb exploding at the restaurant’s gate.

Soldiers surrounded the building and used vehiclemounted guns to neutralise the attackers. Troops entered the ground floor while the extremist snipers held positions upstairs.

All five attackers were killed and the soldiers secured the building after dawn, said police.

While al-Shabaab claimed to have attacked the neighbouring Posh Treats restaurant, which is frequented by the city’s elite, security officials said the Pizza House was targeted instead.

President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed called the victims “martyrs”.

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.