Islamist gunmen shouting 'Allahu akbar' open fire near Somalia beach and 'take hostages' at seafood restaurant after suicide car bomber rammed the gates

At least three people have been killed after a suicide car bomber rammed the gates of a seaside restaurant in Somalia's capital and Islamists fought their way into the building.

Al-Qaeda-linked Al-Shabaab has claimed responsibility for the attack and it is feared the terrorists may have taken hostages inside the Liido Seafood restaurant, which is popular with Mogadishu's elite and government officials, police official Capt. Mohamed Hussein said. 

Witnesses said the gunmen shouted 'Allahu akbar', Arabic for 'God is great', and fired indiscriminately at people sitting near the beach.

'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.

 

'The operation is ongoing now,' Capt. Hussein said. 'The [attackers] are still inside and fighting our troops.' 

He said he had counted at least three bodies outside the restaurant. 

An unknown number of people are still trapped inside 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.

Gunfire could be heard inside the restaurant, suggesting the gunmen were killing civilians trapped inside, Capt. Hussein added.

'The place was packed when the [gunmen] came, so the number of casualties will probably rise,' he said. 

Conflicting reports claim two car bombs were set off during the siege.

Somalia Prime Minister Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke wrote on Twitter: 'I unreservedly condemn the barbaric attack @ Liido. My thoughts and prayers are with the victims #Somalia.' 

Islamic extremist group Al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for Thursday's attack, in a broadcast on its online radio.

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.  

'The operation is ongoing now,' Capt. Hussein said. 'The [attackers] are still inside and fighting our troops.' 

The same restaurant - Liido Seafood - was bombed in February 2013, reportedly killing a Somali soldier

The terror group, which is fighting to overthrow the internationally backed government in Mogadishu, carry out regular attacks in the capital. 

The Islamists are on a mission to disprove claims they are close to defeat since being routed from Mogadishu in mid-2011 and losing several alleged commanders in US drone strikes.

Al-Shabaab attacked Kenyan peacekeepers in south-western Somalia last week. 

The group claimed it had killed about 100 Kenyans and seized armaments and military vehicles. 

The Kenyan government has given no death toll, saying instead that there were some fatalities.

Despite being pushed out of Somalia's major cities and towns, Al-Shabaab continues to launch deadly guerrilla attacks across the Horn of Africa country.

African Union troops, government officials and foreigners are frequently targeted. 

The Lido beach area in Mogadishu is busy with restaurants, including upmarket establishments popular with business people and diaspora Somalis who have returned home to the city. 

The same restaurant was bombed in February 2013, reportedly killing a Somali soldier.