Mogadishu hotel attack leaves 23 dead, al-Shabab takes responsibility
Saturday’s blasts came two weeks after more than 350 people were killed in a massive truck bombing – the worst ever attack in Somalia
Somali security forces have ended a nightlong siege at a Mogadishu hotel by five extremist attackers who stormed the building after a suicide car bomber detonated an explosives-laden vehicle at the entrance gate.
The attack killed 23 people, according to police, who had earlier given a death toll of 25.
Troops regained control of the Nasa-Hablod hotel on Sunday, having killed three attackers and captured two alive, said Captain Mohamed Hussein.
Islamic extremist group al-Shabab quickly claimed responsibility for the attack.
The assault started Saturday afternoon when a suicide truck bomb exploded outside the popular hotel in the capital. The blast twisted vehicles and caused massive damage to nearby buildings which were left with only their walls standing.
The attackers invaded the hotel and gunfire continued as security forces fought them inside the building. Two more blasts were heard, one when an attacker detonated a suicide vest.
