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Big blast rocks Mogadishu hotel Somalia: Deadly al-Shabab attack on Mogadishu hotel
(about 1 hour later)
A large explosion has rocked a hotel in the centre of the Somali capital Mogadishu and there is ongoing gunfire after what is suspected to be an al-Shabab attack. An attack by the Islamist group al-Shabab on a hotel in the Somali capital, Mogadishu, has left at least five dead, police say.
The BBC's Ibrahim Aden, in Mogadishu, says the blast hit the Naso Hablod hotel, a mile from the city's airport. A vehicle bomb was detonated at the gates of the Naso-Hablod hotel before armed men entered the building, officials said.
There is no word on casualties. Reports say there may have been a second blast. The men then fired on people and reportedly took hostages.
Al-Shabab Islamists frequently carry out attacks in the city in their bid to topple the Western-backed government. Al-Shabab militants frequently carry out attacks in the city in their bid to topple the Western-backed government.
"They started with a suicide bomb and then stormed in. Now they are inside and the heavy exchange of gunfire continues," police spokesman Maj Nur Farah told Reuters news agency. A spokesman for the group told Reuters news agency that it had attacked the hotel "frequented by the apostate government members".
The Naso-Hablod, in southern Mogadishu, is often used by politicians and tourists.
It is not known how many gunmen entered the hotel, nor how many guests were inside.
The number and identities of those killed is not clear.
Earlier this month at least 10 people were killed and 50 injured in an attack on another hotel in the Somali capital, which was claimed by al-Shabab.Earlier this month at least 10 people were killed and 50 injured in an attack on another hotel in the Somali capital, which was claimed by al-Shabab.
The al-Qaeda-linked group was driven from Mogadishu in 2011 but still remains a threat and frequently carries out attacks in the city.The al-Qaeda-linked group was driven from Mogadishu in 2011 but still remains a threat and frequently carries out attacks in the city.
The government, with the help of African Union forces, is fighting al-Shabab militants in several parts of the country.The government, with the help of African Union forces, is fighting al-Shabab militants in several parts of the country.