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Deadly twin bombings hit hotel in Mogadishu, Somalia Deadly twin bombings hit hotel in Mogadishu, Somalia
(about 1 hour later)
Somali police have said at least eight people are dead after two bombs ripped into a hotel in the centre of the capital, Mogadishu, on Sunday morning. Suspected Islamist gunmen stormed inside the building and a gunfight with police ensued, witnesses said. Somali police have said at least nine people died and 10 were injured after two bombs ripped into a hotel in the centre of the capital, Mogadishu, on Sunday morning. Gunmen thought to be from the al-Shabaab terrorist group then stormed the building, taking hostages and exchanging fire with police, authorities said.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility after the explosions but police blamed the Islamist militant group al-Shabaab, which has frequently launched attacks in Mogadishu. “They have killed the owner of the hotel, a former military general and other officials during the attack,” said police Captain Mohamed Hussein by phone from the scene. “There’s a hostage situation inside the hotel.”
Al-Shabaab, the Islamic extremist rebels waging an insurgency against Somalia’s weak UN-backed government, claimed responsibility for the attack on its radio station.
The African Union said its troops went to the scene along with the Somali forces they are supporting in Mogadishu.
Related: Britain meddles in Somalia at its peril – don’t make al-Shabaab stronger | Jamal OsmanRelated: Britain meddles in Somalia at its peril – don’t make al-Shabaab stronger | Jamal Osman
The incident mirrored tactics used before by al-Shabaab in which it detonates bombs to break through security at targets and then sends in fighters. Al-Shabaab wants to topple Somalia’s western-backed government and has promised more attacks.The incident mirrored tactics used before by al-Shabaab in which it detonates bombs to break through security at targets and then sends in fighters. Al-Shabaab wants to topple Somalia’s western-backed government and has promised more attacks.
“A car bomb rammed into the gate of Sahafi hotel. So far I have seen two civilians dead,” said Major Ahmed Nur, a police officer, after the first blast and just a second at the entrance. A Reuters witness saw wrecked cars and destroyed motorbikes in the area, as well as two dead civilians lying outside. Parts of the hotel were damaged.
Police were still exchanging fire with attackers inside the hotel about an hour after the attack started.
“Fighters with machines guns are firing at us from the rooftop of the hotel,” Major Osman Ali, another police officer, said after the second explosion, which a security guard in the area said was also a car bomb like the first.
The hotel, which lies near a busy area in Mogadishu known as K-4, is often used by lawmakers and government officials.The hotel, which lies near a busy area in Mogadishu known as K-4, is often used by lawmakers and government officials.
“The death toll may rise,” said police officer Nur as plumes of smoke rose above the capital on the Indian Ocean coast. “We believe al-Shabaab was behind it.” Two French security advisers were abducted from the hotel by militants in 2009.
A Reuters witness saw wrecked cars and destroyed motorbikes in the area, as well as two dead civilians lying outside. At least three others were injured. Some parts of the hotel were damaged. Despite being forced out of Mogadishu and many other cities and towns across Somalia, al-Shabaab continues to launch lethal attacks in the capital and elsewhere.