Several killed in Somalia beach cafe attack

At least 17 people have been killed after Islamist gunmen attacked a popular beachside restaurant in the Somali capital of Mogadishu, according to Somali police.

Reuters quoted police officer Osman Nur as saying: "The operation ended at 3am last night [Thursday] and at least 17 civilians were killed."

The al-Shabab militant group said its members had set off two car bombs at the Beach View Cafe on Mogadishu's Lido beach, and engaged in a gun battle for hours with government troops.