SAN FRANCISCO, June 02, (THEWILL) – Somali authorities on Thursday said the security forces have brought to an end a bomb and gun attack by militants on a central Mogadishu hotel that killed at least 16 people and wounded 55.
Maj Nur Mohamed, Police Officer, said so far 16 people, mostly civilians, including two lawmakers were among the dead, while 55 others were injured.
According to NAN/Reuters, Islamist militant group Al-Shabaab, affiliated with Al-Qaeda, claimed responsibility for Wednesday’s attack on Hotel Ambassador.
Another police officer, Maj. Farah Ali, said the hotel was now secure after the entire building was cleared of militants adding that the national security forces are in every floor, while the last fighter on the top roof was shot.
Al-Shabaab was pushed out of Mogadishu by the African Union peacekeeping force AMISOM in 2011 but has remained a potent threat in Somalia, launching frequent attacks aimed at overthrowing the Western-backed government.
The group has also been behind deadly attacks in Kenya and Uganda as both countries contribute troops to an African Union peacekeeping force in Somalia.
Abdiasis Musab, Al-Shabaab’s Military Operations Spokesman, said they lost only three fighters during the hotel attack but killed 30 people and injured 60 during the assault.
He said one of the three dead fighters drove the car that rammed the hotel while the others stormed the hotel.
Musab said further that killing of 30 apostates including MPs and soldiers during the operation by Al-Shabaab’s was victorious as planned.
The building was extensively damaged during the attack and government forces had blocked off all the main roads near the scene.
Story by David Oputah
