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Kismayo attack: Several dead as gunmen storm Somali hotel Kismayo attack: At least 26 dead as gunmen storm Somali hotel
(32 minutes later)
At least 26 people, including a prominent journalist and several foreigners, have been killed in an attack on a hotel in southern Somalia.At least 26 people, including a prominent journalist and several foreigners, have been killed in an attack on a hotel in southern Somalia.
A suicide bomber rammed a car containing explosives into the Asasey hotel in the port of Kismayo, and gunmen then stormed the buildingA suicide bomber rammed a car containing explosives into the Asasey hotel in the port of Kismayo, and gunmen then stormed the building
Journalist Hodan Naleyah and her husband are thought to be among the dead.Journalist Hodan Naleyah and her husband are thought to be among the dead.
Islamist group al-Shabab has claimed the attack.Islamist group al-Shabab has claimed the attack.
Regional politicians and clan elders were inside the hotel discussing a forthcoming regional election at the time of the attack. A local politician, three Kenyans, three Tanzanians, two Americans and and one Briton were also killed, authorities say.
Witnesses said they heard gunfire inside the hotel soon after the car bomb went off. How did the attack unfold?
Authorities have said the attack is over, with four gunmen killed. Regional politicians and clan elders were inside the hotel discussing a forthcoming regional election when the attack began.
Police earlier put the death toll at 13 but local authorities now put the number killed at 26. Witnesses said they heard a huge blast before several heavily armed men forced their way in.
Local media outlets and a Somali journalists association said Nalayeh, 43, and her husband Farid were among the dead. "There is chaos inside, I saw several dead bodies carried from the scene and people are fleeing from the nearby buildings," one witness, Hussein Muktar, said during the attack.
Nalayeh founded the media platform Integration TV to tell stories about life in Somalia and in the Somali diaspora. It took several hours for authorities to regain control over the hotel.
Recent episodes had focused on Somalia's female entrepreneurs and things to do in the city of Las Anod. Regional President Ahmed Mohamed put the death toll at 26 with more than 50 people wounded. Four attackers were also killed in the raid.
Who were the victims?
Local media and a Somali journalists' association said Nalayeh, 43, and her husband Farid were among the dead.
Nalayeh founded the media platform Integration TV to tell stories about life in Somalia and in the Somali diaspora. Recent episodes had focused on Somalia's female entrepreneurs and things to do in the city of Las Anod.
She moved to Canada with her family when she was six years old and went on to become a figurehead of the Somali community there. But the mother of two had recently returned to Somalia.She moved to Canada with her family when she was six years old and went on to become a figurehead of the Somali community there. But the mother of two had recently returned to Somalia.
Canadian politician Andrea Horwath reacted to the reports of Nalayeh's death on Twitter, saying her "endless positivity and her love for people was inspiring". Tributes have been paid to her, with BBC journalist Farhan Jimale calling her "a beautiful soul" while Canada's immigration minister Ahmed Hussen said she was a "voice for many".
BBC journalist Farhan Jimale described her as "a beautiful soul".
The Somali Journalists Syndicate said that Nalayeh and another reporter also killed in Kismayo, Mohamed Omar Sahal, were the first journalists to be killed in the country this year.The Somali Journalists Syndicate said that Nalayeh and another reporter also killed in Kismayo, Mohamed Omar Sahal, were the first journalists to be killed in the country this year.
Security official Abdi Dhuhul told AFP news agency that a former local administration minister and a lawmaker were also among the dead. How common is this type of attack?
Militant group al-Shabab was driven out of Kismayo in 2012, and the port has been relatively peaceful in recent years - unlike many other places in southern and central Somalia. Somalia sees frequent militant attacks but after al-Shabab was driven out of Kismayo in 2012 the port has been relatively peaceful.
The militants have been carrying out more frequent attacks in the capital Mogadishu, despite the heavy presence of African Union peacekeepers and US-trained Somali troops. The militants have been carrying out regular attacks in the capital Mogadishu, despite the heavy presence of African Union peacekeepers and US-trained Somali troops.
Al-Shabab is affiliated with al-Qaeda and remains a powerful presence in rural Somalia.