MOGADISHU, (AA): Two car bombs exploded Thursday near cafés in the center of the Somali capital, Mogadishu, causing extensive damage, security sources said.
At least six people and eight attackers were killed according to various media reports and several others injured in the twin explosions.
Another security source who requested anonymity said the death toll had reached at least five.
Gunmen burst into a café located near the Lido shore and opened fire just after the first explosion, the security source who requested anonymity, told Anadolu Agency.
The second explosion occurred at the entrance of the café, where intensive exchange of fire took place between attackers and café security, the same source added.
A large police presence was deployed at the scene to evacuate the customers.
The area where the explosions occurred is reportedly quite crowded generally and popular among government officials.
The newly appointed United Nations special envoy to Somalia Michael Keating condemned the attack in a tweet.
“I strongly condemn tonight’s attack. Lido beach is symbol of Somalia life. My thoughts are with the people at this beach of Mogadishu.”
The Somali armed insurgent group, al-Shabaab, which is considered a terrorist organization by the U.S. and has pledged allegiance to al-Qaeda, usually claims such incidents targeting officials and civil servants.
