5 killed in suicide attack in Somalia

At least five people were killed and six others wounded on Friday after a suicide bomber blew himself up at a restaurant in the Somali capital of Mogadishu.

Sadik Aden Ali, the police spokesperson, told the state-run Radio Mogadishu that the security forces are currently conducting investigations over the latest attack at Hawle Wadag District, which is close to Villa Somalia. "A suicide bomber from the al-Shabab terror group blew himself up at a teashop called Bar Bulsho in Hawle Wadag District this afternoon. The attack resulted in five deaths and six injuries, including the bomber himself," Ali said.

Witnesses, however, said they saw at least seven dead bodies on site and more than 10 others wounded in an attack that left the restaurant destroyed.

The Islamist militant group al-Shabab has claimed responsibility for the attack, saying its fighters targeted government soldiers in the area.

Somalia has grappled with terrorism for many years, primarily stemming from the threat posed by al-Shabab, which has frequently launched attacks on government forces. Despite these challenges, the Somali army, bolstered by local militias and international allies, has launched a sustained offensive against al-Shabab since last year, when President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud declared an "all-out war" against the terrorist group.