At least eight civilians were killed in clashes between Islamist radicals from Al-Shabaab who attacked a hotel in Mogadishu, Somalia, and security forces trying to neutralize them, a security official said on Saturday.
“The security forces continued to neutralize the terrorists who were surrounded in a room in the hotel building. Most of the people were rescued, but at least eight civilians are dead at this stage,” said the official, Mohamed Abdikadir.
Al-Qaeda-affiliated Shebab jihadists stormed the Hayat hotel on Friday night amid a hail of gunfire and bomb blasts. “The security forces rescued dozens of civilians, including children, who were trapped in the building,” added Mohamed Abdikadir.
The terrorists are still entrenched
The attackers were still barricaded in the hotel early Saturday, sporadic gunshots and loud explosions were heard in the area. A dozen people gathered at night in front of the building to try to get news of their relatives.
“We were looking for a family member […] trapped inside the hotel, he has been confirmed dead along with six other people, two of whom I know,” said one of these people, Muudey Ali.
It is the biggest attack in the Somali capital since the election of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud in May.
Source: BFM TV
