OMG Al-Shabab Islamist militants have attacked a hotel in the Somali capital, Mogadishu, killing at least 15 people.

Share This Information on:

Al-Shabab Islamist militants have attacked a hotel in
the Somali capital, Mogadishu, killing at least 15
people. Gunmen used two car bombs to blast their way
into the Sahafi hotel compound before storming the
building, police said.

Victims included at least one MP and the general who
led the 2011 offensive that drove al-Shabab out of
Mogadishu. African Union troops and government
forces say they have regained control of the hotel after
a fierce gun battle. The hotel is popular with Somalia’s
members of parliament.

A website associated with al-Shabab said it was
responsible for the attack, which it said was carried out
early in the morning to avoid civilian casualties. This is
a clear change in strategy, says BBC World Service
Africa editor Mary Harper. Until now, attacks in
Mogadishu have been carried out during the day and
evening, killing civilians who happen to be in the
targeted area.

The owner of the hotel and Gen Abdikarim Dhagabad
n, who commanded the operation against al-Shabab in
2011, were among the victims. The attack comes a day
after deadly clashes between jihadist fighters and
African Union (AU) troops in the Bakool region near
the border with Ethiopia.

Source: INFORMATION NG

It Will Only Take You Seconds To Share This Information on: