At least 20 people were killed and more than a dozen were wounded at a beachside restaurant and hotel in the Somali capital of Mogadishu.
CNN reported that the victims were killed by a suicide car bomber and several gunmen who attacked the popular Lido Seafood Restaurant and the Beach View Hotel on Thursday evening. Six gunmen were also killed in a gun fight with police and the suspected mastermind of the raid is in custody.
Bloomberg noted that law enforcement and government officials in the country believe that the attack was carried out by al-Shabaab, an al-Qaida linked group that has been plaguing Somalia with violence for years.
Witnesses described a chaotic scene inside the eatery and ran to hide when the gunmen rushed the restaurant.
"They shot and killed indiscriminately," police Captain Mohamed Aloley said at the scene of the assault. "The attack continued for about seven hours. Security forces managed to get inside to get rid of the attackers. Those who were fighting inside were killed by the soldiers."
Among the deceased are a pregnant woman and small child.
The restaurant is said to be a very popular establishment among government workers.